MODERN FASHIONS CONDEMNED

New Zealand Tablet, 5 June 1913, Page 61

MODERN FASHIONS CONDEMNED

A well-known New York correspondent abroad for her paper, interviewed in Paris/ the Worth brothers, sons of the famous Monsieur Worth, who made the fashions for exclusive folk for so many years, and whose sons still carry on the establishment. • The first M. Worth had an international reputation for originality and grace of design in women’s clothes, and it is said his mantle has fallen on worthy shoulders. In speaking of the present fashions, Jean, the designer of the present firm, said ‘ Many things really influence fashions. Certain modes of dressing prevalent to-day reflect the changes in women which are taking —the greater freedom that they have, for instance. Then, too, habits and customs are more lax at present, and in consequence there is a certain extravagance, a lack of modesty in dress.’ - -

‘ A short while ago/ he went on to say, the Pope wrote an open letter condemning’ women’s dress, and some one came to ask me what I thought about it. I did not say much at the time, but I will tell you now that I quite agreed with the Pope. I deplore certain freak fashions because of what I know has inspired them and because they have no beauty. However, I do not mean to say that all women demand them. On the contrary, we have customers, women of great taste and refinement, who dress exquisitely, yet who change their style very little from year to year. They do not move with the crowd. They keep to just what suits them, with certain modifications/