SPRING AT MESSRS J. PAUL AND CO.S.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11057, 19 September 1903, Page 6

SPRING AT MESSRS J. PAUL AND CO.S.

Messrs J. Paul and Co.'s first opening display of spring millinery and novelties at their, fine Avenue premises attracted great attention yesterday afternoon and evening, as, indeed, it was bound to do. The firm usually hold a promenade show but, for unavoidable reasons, this was inadvisable in the' present instance, and interest was chiefly centred in the windows, which were dressed as, perhaps, they have never been dressed before. Those responsible" deserve the' highest praise for the skill' and artistic merit put into the work. The show, too, is quite up-to-date if, indeed, fashions are not anticipated. / A , representative .of the "Herald" was privileged yesterday afternoon to have what, for want of a better term, may be cailed" a private view of the new goods, anc this article proposes to give the public some idea of what he sb&r. It goes without saying, of course, that no -mere man could do justice to the feminine side of the house; ■ that" is a drawback which can .be' atonec for by ladies visiting the rooms, and making a personal inspection. What follow* is Dut' a skeleton, as it were, and if some of the smaller bones are overlooked, 01 cabalistic fashionable appellations misspelt, the blame rests with the dictionaries that make no mention of the mystic words. First, speaking generally, let it be , said that the display is thoroughly represents-* tive of the incoming season, and must have entailed an immense amount .of labour to achieve. ' the result well repays all the trouble and expense, in the latter being included the breakage of a .£2O plateglass window, accidentally broken by a hammer. That is a little detail that will haye principal interest, for the .Insurance Company concerned, and is merely mentioned, in passing, .to show that the public were not responsible. Preparations have been made by the. buyers in all departments for a record season and, consequently, the stacks dre abnormally large already, not to ' mention <jt&er., consignments yet to. arrive. This spring's goods are chiefly noticeable for the many novelties introduced. In millineryj so dear "to the heart of woman, summer has been anticipated in the beautiful confections displayed. Toques are as fashionable -as ever, in ruched and tucked chiffon; some of the latest design have "the brims covered with multi-coloured sequins. vWhite and coloured .straws, too, the serviceable as well as the purely ornamental kind, are 1 stacked around in all the newest shapes. In children's sun hats, soft straw aad trimniings 'are;re rigueur; nor has "infants' millinery been overlooked. Burnt sJtiraw are. the rage in sun hats and 'champagne the favourite shade, seemingly. .There, is a fascinating display of hats .and.,bonnets tin all the smartest styles, mefstly of tuck l ed or embroidered Japanese silk to "enhance "the effect. In Ijhe trimmed millinery, dashing Parisian models are plentiful, and a very high standard is maintained throughout. , . • . ; In> the flower and feather department, 'there i&' a fine show of brush ospreys and aigrettes of the stiff upstanding kind, which are so much in vogue'just now. Some deli-cately-sh.aded . foliage and natural-looking berries are sure to take well; violets an<? forgetrme-notß are most plentiful amongst artificial flowers. Here are to be seen also — they must have lost their way — some extremely dressy millinery crowns, embroidered on chiffon and tulle, and richly orna"menfed. 1 ' ' Sunshades deserve a brief paragraph to themselves., '•Here the taste for chine silk prevails, especially for light grounds. Then, there are some really good striped moire parasols, and more striped chine j and thesticks are delicately shaded to harmonise. Pretty sunshades in plain 'colours, and others of -Trfssdre silk, lined with colours, are certain to sell well. Over 500 ladies' umbrellas, offering an almost infinite choice, and obtained for half-cost, may with ipropfiety be referred to here. They range through all prices. The readef has now reached the skirts, which introduce some special novelties, ranging in price from a very moderate figure'to a high-class garment, while costumx 1 skirts are simple in enormous variety; the black alone hanging ten deep. Skirts must be held, for journalistic purposes, to comprehend petticoats, and iytte latter seem all that they should be. Amongst the gloves one feels more at home. Lace' gloves and mittens are leading lines, and can be had at all prices. ' The British-made fabric 1 gloves are a speciality, 'and a good, serviceable article is offered at what seems a 'ridiculously disproportionate figure. How it is done is one of the secret 3 Of "tfre trade. In kid' gloves such wellknown makes as Florence^ Lepine, R,avix Merlier, Josephus, Lorial and other great houses .are represented. In ribbons, soft, brilliant effects are noticeable in many shades, champagne being the favourite. Ombre and chine effects, too, are going off well, and some elegant grass N lawn 'ribbons. Blacks are in all widths and. qualities'. 1 In addition to the usual ranges of vari- / cms i silks, the firm have introduced some higjhet .and- richer .'fancy goods in the shape of Japanese silk blouses, dainty trifles trimmed with.^ace and other nice things. The pr^nt clepartattent 'is one of the most ( novel, the "cotton corner" notwithstanding. , and special mention may- be made of thebordered zephyrs, ginghams, delaines, bordered voiles and muslins. 'Grass lawn is • well to' th& front .in many' pretty varieties, and there is "a vast assortment of sateen -and ordinary prints. Ladies' belts and ornaments, not being classified, may as well -be reported here. They arc shown in num- • erous styles^ with handsome clasps. Metal ■ belts arejvery fashionable? Large cape" collars' cair'for "another paragraph, and promise to be a strong feature of the season. The enormous variety of style and jnaterial in which they are shown speak' volumes for the .taste .displayed in the&*-s«i e csi 0;B\0 ;B\ ' This effective and dressy ornament is in every possible make and shade of lace, from dead white to deep Pati&— whatever that; may be — and, of course, the popular champagne tone. Lvery taste and every pocket have been taken inio, consideration, and there are also some very beautiful French lace collars, with long -stolen ends. - These are-sp much in demand that the firm have cabled Home for ' a special shipment to arrive in good time for, .jtlje. season's : .trade. , The drop ornaments and buttons ought "to have been noticed in a previous section; they merit the special attention of visitors. Some, of dainty enamel, are a generous trimming in themselves, In laces there is a lovely choice df'gTupure, gaktas, edging and-straight inSftttion; 1 . • The. trimmings, too., are in be-,, wildering, variety, and quite beggar desoriptibn—qalons in all widths,' colors, and .styles., Veiling is in more demand this season than It has been for some years, and Messrs Paul and Co. have a goodly supply There are fanciful" little black velvet smudges and leaf effects, and the black velvet beauty spot on fine tulle ground maintains its popularity. In the dressmaking department, the firm, idealising' the- vital importance of accuracy invfit, smartness in style and efficiency in workmanship for measured garments, and having achieved encouraging results in the past, have' completed the equipment of their establishment for increased efforts- during the-eomirig- season. So much has been said about ladies' apparel, useful and ornamental, that but little space "can be given to gentlemen.. . Well, ; thev can do with less. Trade is hrisk* ! in this department. There is a very large stock of f weeds and suiting shown, indicat- : ing the' steady, growing demand that has sprung up for the firm's tailoring. If men arc not wearing 1 more clothes, Messrs Paul and Co. a:c making many more suits than

>ver before, and, therefore, intend to devote special attention to this important branch of he business in the future. To conclude, Messrs Paul and Co. are to be heartily congratulated upon their enterprise and up-to-dateness, as evidenced in their spring show.