LATEST MILLINERY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20238, 23 February 1934, Page 9

LATEST MILLINERY.

Parade Staged at Hay’s Limited. “I am sure that Christchurch is going to live up to its reputation of being one of the smartest towns in New Zealand,” said Miss Romola Hansen, of the J. C. Williamson Company, commenting on the parade of autumn fashions held at Hay's, Ltd., yesterday afternoon. The parade had been arranged primarily to show the entries in a millinery competition in the newspapers, but there was additional interest and attraction in the fact that Miss Hansen had consented to judge the hats. Several members of tlie company assisted also as mannequins, and a number of others, including several of the male cast, were present as special guests. The feminine public of Christchurch could not resist such an opportunity to see the latest millinery creations displayed by pretty models of the footlights, and arrived in such large numbers that the seating capacity was overtaxed. Miss Hansen was wearing a most becoming frock of prestige blue relieved with little blue and white bows and chromium buttons, and a blue picture hat swathed with blue and white striped ribbon. Upon her arrival two tiny girls, Eileen and Elsie Caverhill, twin daughters of Mrs Roy Caverhill, primrose Kate Greenaway frocks, presented her with a lovely bouquet of tangerine shaded flowers. With Miss Hansen were Mrs J. D. Simpson, Mrs Hay, Mr and Mrs L. G. Bowen, visitors from Chicago, and Mr Hay,, and Mrs D. Inkster. who arranged the parade. Orchestral music was played throughout the afternoon by Misses Betty Hall and Nancy Install and Mr Ronald Boon. A delightful interlude was a tap dance exhibition by two of tlie Williamson Company, Misses Cecille Viles and Merle Greenwood, wearing white “ boy ” and ” girl ” sailor suits. Another item which was much enjoyed was a couplet of songs—“ I Love Life ” and “ Sylvia,” contributed by Mrs L. G. Bowen, who is a talented singer. Mr Bowen accompanied her on the piano. The members of the company who acted as mannequins were Misses Lois Green, Eunice Goodberg, Ida Dunn and Cecille Viles. Bouquet and floral decorations were by Messrs Howdens, furniture by Messrs A. J. White. Chic Kata and Coats. It would not be politic to stage a millinery display without showing coats as well, for Dame Fashion has decreed that in the autumn our hats and coats shall be, for the most part, of the sams material. Yesterday's parade, therefore, included a pre-view of autumn coats—small affairs of soft angora cloth, cat'swhisker tweeds, diagonal weaves, honeycomb effects and smooth rich-looking faced-clotlis, with some snappy tweeds for sports wear. Unusual treatment of the sleeves in tucking and cartridge or fluted pleating effects distinguished these slim-fitting coats. Luxuriouslooking fur collars, with the head of the animal at one side, was a new feature, and flat fur or fabric in cravat crossHats were of two styles only—those with brims and those without. The secret of their success lay in the angle at which they were worn. The tiny brimless hats, for the most part selftrimmed, were cunningly folded and pleated into a variety of designs. High at the back, the line often emphasised with bunched bows or rabbit’s-ear bows, these little hats, swept low over the forehead, with a decided tilt over one ! eye. Much hair was revealed and the] effect was decidedly chic. .Some women ' must have brimmed hats, and for these J there were smart soft pull-ons that j framed the face with becoming grace, i Again one side was tilted high and i back tc show the hair, and the other l pulled down well over the ear. The winning model, as judged by j Miss Hansen, was black—a tiny brim- i less creation with high pointed crown I of black and white pin-spot angora i cloth. Some smart wet-weather coats of I light rainproof silk were shown, and ; included, a waterproof cape of the ' trench ” variety, with coloured um- ! brellas to match the contrasting shades i of tlie revers. Miss Hansen placed the winning order of the hats as: No. 6, first; 8. second; 1, third; 4. fourth; 7, fifth; 3, sixth; 2. seventh; and 5, eighth.