FASHION FANCIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19057, 9 July 1924, Page 9

FASHION FANCIES.

OSTRICH FEATHERS. CAPE FOR THE QUEEN. It is interesting to read that the Queen i« lending her support to the. movement of fashion in favour of ostrich feathers, and Her Majesty nas just placed an order for a sumptuous cape or wrap to be made entirely of them according to the latest mode. Clever feather-workers of London are preparing to make something of rarest beauty for the Queen’s wear. At recent fashion parades in London the newest method of manipulating feathers, not only for the picturesque hats that have been displayed, but of thick ruchings to finish dress flounces or as deep borderings to mantles, hare excited the utmost admiration as th -» have been employed by the leading modistes. How far smart approval has gone in this direction is shown by the ostrich feather sales that have taken ptace already. Buyers representing the most famous houses, whose models are sought the world over, attended these events in far greater numbers than they have done for several years past, and a general advance of fully 20 per cent, was marked in wholesale prices. Moreover, the expert judges of the market anticipate that considerably higher rates will be secured at the next sales, which will be held in July. This will be most welcome news to those in South Africa, who have hoped almost against hope for the returning smile of .fa6h:o**,n and. who have tenaciously reared the finest birds, believing aiat they would again contribute to the prosperity of the Union. The zenith year of the industry was 1913. A decline had become noticeable, however, before the war and that world catastrophe that checked all luxury expendi ture in Europe dealt a terrible blow to the industry. How great this was may be judged from the fact that in the days of prosperity there were somethin,? like 750,000 head of ostriches in Cape Colony, and to-day the number has sunk to about 200,000. Among the many attractions of the British Empire Exhibition it is certain that the collection of some twenty-three male ostriches in fullest perfection of their plumage will rank very high. The birds have borne their journey exceedingly well. Lucerne will h? their chief food here, as it is in South Africa. There will bo at uvals of the absolutely pa ? nU.»s ; of clipping off the plume*. *5 is hoped that tho King, who Is in the whole Exhibition, will himself witness the process. It is bdfovei thtit the display will add mach to the interest that bids fair to centre upon this development of fashion.