THE NEW IDEA.

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 15

THE NEW IDEA.

NOVELTY FASHION FAIR AT

THE D.I.C.

Novelty is the first essential of successful entertainment, most difficult to attain these days of universal publicity, when all original ideas seem to have been used up: The D.1.C., however, has surprised the public'with a "different" development in the way of dress parades.

The first floor of the huge building has been almost entirely given up to a. Fashion Fair, which began yesterday, and will be repeated today and tomorrow, from 3 p.m. till -1 p.m., and on Friday night between 7.30 and 8.30, when interest will be centred on models from the Inexpensive Department.

A real fair it is,'booths and all. Ingenuity," brilliant .'dressing,. and charming mannequins and good music, all contribute to'tho delightful effect. The whole placo is gay with bunting and coloured lights.. It is as if ono were suddenly transplanted

Far away from the footlights' glare Into tho summer and scented air

Of a quaint old Cornish town,

The stage from which tho mannequins begin their parade is a clover erection of silver-grey pillars with petunia curtains at tho archway and a spray of petunia flowers, with a dash of yellow flung across tho background. Down the carpeted stairs the models trip, and along a flower-bordered pathway, past tho booths where articles of interest from various departments throughout the store are displayed, up through tho underclothing and children's section, and back again, to make a final bow from tho stage. It was a very personal and intimate way of showing customers the now season's models, and the mannequins were stopped many times en route to chat and answer questions.

The booths" are placed "at intervals on either side of tho flower walk. On tho right is ono given up to the display of neckware, where the various methods of achieving the illusive, fashionable touch to the season's most popular accessory are demonstrated.

A most amusing note is struck by saloons on which absurdly realistic faces are painted.

Next a beautiful wine-coloured ensemble is shown, the dress on a revolving model, complete with gloves and hat, the coat on a stand beside it, while various hats, scarves, and a jumper in the same colour balance tho arrangement.

At the turn of the pathway comes the hairdressing and toilette exhibition, whore all tho secrets of beauty—or of make-up—are laid bare to the interested observer. A large crowd watched Mr. Teasdale, Wellington," with his assistant, at work on a "shampoo and set," admiring the final result of tho new waving.'

Tho millinery booth was a delightful arrangement of two round frames, gold against black, tho curtains of which were drawn to show the heads of models, wearing hat after hat. Across the pathway, which was bordered by a crowd of spectators long before tho time for the fair arrived, tho shoes and stockings had a most ingenious stand, where stockings arid footwear for morning, afternoon, and evening were shown on very charming legs, which appeared from behind the curtains.

The wool booth was a clock-face, where wool letters marked tho hours, and inside this framo S at a demure Dorcas at her knitting. Piles of Now Zealand wool of all SO rts and colours decorated the frame-work, and needles of every sizo, books, and pamphlets of instructions, all were there.

Iho last booth is for underclothing— lounge ana slumber-suits of Celanese and Jjoeknit silk, dressing jackets, and other alluring garments in pastelcoloured silk, with lace, embroidery, and hand-hemstitching. The dresses worn by the mannequins were lovely—in every case they called forth admiration from, the onlookers. But the piece de resistance of tho parade was the wedding group which marked Us finish. This is perhaps tho most beautiful of all the finales which during tho past four years have owed their inspiration to Mrs. McGee, for though a group of only three, it was perfect in every detail. A silver bride, with delicate lace veil, carrying a hu«o bouquet, of white chrysanthemums—an admirable, very young, very charming bride, was followed by two bridesmaids in grey lace frocks, with shoulder capos and turbans of matching ermine cloth. Their bouquets wero^of silver leaves, and they had just one touch of cyclamen velvet; a bow with lower ends at tho waist in front. Several black and white outfits worn by Mrs. Allan were particularly approved.

[Published bjr Arrangement.}