A NEW LONDON TRADE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1534, 2 September 1912, Page 3

A NEW LONDON TRADE.

It would probably immensely surprise the ordinary person to learn that tho flural decorations of the Medina, in which the King and Queen sailed to India, and the artificial flowers used at tho Durbar were not produced in France, says a writer in an English paper. It would surprise him even more to discover they were made at a girls' club in London. Two years ago the Alayfair Workinggirls' Club at !)8 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, decided to start an evening class for the purpose of instructing the members of that club intliQ making of artificial flowers.

It was naturally a rather daring experiment. The girls themselves, so far as was known, had no natural aptitude for this industry, and deciding, as they did, to produce only the very finest work, they found 'themselves in competition with the French producer, who up till then liad possessed an absolute monopoly in the artificial flower market. There was, too, a firmly-rooted idea that no good thing of this kind could come from anywhere but I'aris.

Nevertheless, after two years, the experiment may be pronounced an unqualified success. Tho girls have shown au astonishing ability and innate artistic sense. Last year they made .£7OO worth of flowers of unsurpassable quality. They have had to face difficulties, there has been a lot to learn, and some considerable scepticism to face, but the most cursory glance at what has been achieved at Charlotte Street is convincing proof that the possibility is there, and the thing can be done. This summer they opened a stall at Earl's Court.

It does not need an expert_ eye to realise that this may be the beginning cf an entirely new British industry, for there is no reason why tliis small beginning should not spread indefinitely. Tomorrow the Mayfair artificial flower makers are holding an exhibition and sale at the house, of Mrs. Waldorf Astor, 4 St. James's Square. The exhibition is open to the public, and anyone who is interested in this rather wonderful experiment and would care to see the beautiful work that has been accomplished should make a point of going to .inspect it.