NEW SILHOUETTE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 12, 4 February 1942, Page 2

NEW SILHOUETTE

THE SIMPLE LINE

COLOUR FOR OPTIMISM

Stark .simplicity of line, a new silhouette, and cheerful colourings distinguish the new season fashions designed by Captain Edward Molyneux. Simplicity lias always been his basic principle. The principle is more strongly stressed than usual in the clothes designed for autumn, 1.941. Many of his frocks, and more especially the black wood day frocks, typical of this designer, are slimmer and straighter than ever. Only the ultra-slim could hope ot wear them. Women built on more generous lines Avill probably find the fuller skirts and the loose coats, long as well as short, included In the collection, more becoming. Day dresses arc, in many cases, bcltless, and distinguished by intricate cutting. The "dagger dart" is a newcomer. The name is descriptive of the shape. You see it at the waistline of frocks and suits, at the neck, on sleeves, on short or long coats, sometimes between the shoulders at the back of a loose, straight-fitting coat.

About coats, even in wartime, women are given several styles from which to choose. Full-length loose coats, some of them fur-lined, are among the smartest Molvneux winter wraps. For contrast there are full-length tube coats, especially designed for that extra slim silhouette. Some of these are fur-trimmed, a band of fine back Persian lamb down the fronts, and a wide band of the same fur reaching almost from Avrist to elbow is used on a coat of this type made from fine black cloth. Or there are tight-fitting waistlength boleros, short, close-fitting jackets barely reaching the hip-bone, and just below hip-length coats.

- The main idea of this collection, in the words of the designer, is "to bring a message of optimism." The way it's done is by the use of bright colours, many of them used in company with a black dress, in wool or jersey for the morning, in velvet, velveteen, novelty crepes and cloques for the afternoon.