COCKTAIL PARTIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 6

COCKTAIL PARTIES

BARS BUILT IN HOUSES LONDON’S SMART SET Ihe cocktail deems to be firmly established with the smart set m London. Where women's committee meetings once assembled and imbibed weak tea afterwards, they are now mediums of the cocktail party, even when held in the morning, writes NYU Al array to the Melbourne Herald. Certain art shows and mannequin parades arc not complete without it. At a recent show of paintings bv a Russian with futuristic tendencies, arranged by the famous Sitwell family, green and gold cocktails were handed round. For a day the topic in London newspapers was the production of a blue cocktail. Every other colour is possible, and the result of tho dis< ussion was the discovery that tho only two colouring substances suitable were the juice of the gentian (a blue flower which grows on the high Alps) and a French sirop known during the Inst century, but Tint made now.

Some of the newest designs for houses include a cocktail bar in one corner of the lounge. It is usually done in artistically panelled wood, lux uriously fitted with crystal bottles glasses and shakers. Already a fev hostesses have created their own re* cipes, the details of which are jealously guarded. Salt, almonds, potato chips ami caviare sandwiches are often

served with them. A famous dress designer invites one to a dross parade and a cocktail party in the same breath —qr an elaborately engraved invitation is sent, entitling you to spend an hour or so in a parchment and gold drawing-room, sipping from gold filagreed glasses, while mannequins parade in lovely clothes.

At one of these combined functions given recently by Madame Luander and her sister. Lady Glenmorris, mannequins displayed a novelty—the cocktail party frock, designed specially so that it is suitable for both late afternoon and dinner wear. Made in coloured lace, the ensemble was particularly charming. In most cases the frock was sleeveless, and had an accompanying short coat of the same material, which could be slipped off to reveal tho evening outfit. Lady Glenmorris told me that, the name of this model was “Clove* Club.”