London Fashion Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 19

London Fashion Notes

Specially Written for ''The Post."

LONDON, January 29,

" London is.the centre of fashion interest this year, and' London1 dress designers are showing their,collections a week earlier than' Paris. '

"■■ This is a very important decision for the dress trade, with all its numerous side interests, and there/ is no doubt that more, attention will be focused on styles .launched by our. designers than ever/before. ■

Foremost in (interest was a joint display given by. "The Fashion Group of Great Britain"—a recently-formed orr ganisation to give home fashions international importance.. This, show was organised to suit the American buyers who were looking in on London before going to Paris., America is very ."Coronation conscious," and the. demand for every thing ■ appertaining -. to this v important 'event in quite remote towns of America, is an interesting expression of the waj^.the American woman' keeps "right o<fher toes" about every new thing that will influence dress. . . Oh the question of colour, they were just a little too eager; for after getting out a special card of Coronation colours dedicated to Edward VIII, they found all these rshades were wrong,' and had since applied to .the British Colour- Council for the correct. shades.^ COLOUR INFLUENCE. As I have mentioiled before,: colour is eyen more important this year than ever, and the wnole interest in a." new model may be the depth and contrasts oi the colour of .the fabrics used . to iashion it. • .- _ ~ .. . .' To this.end, the British Colour Council have-wonted so that now it is possible for all overseas buyers to order I by a: cabled"word.from their shade.card with the satisfaction of knowing they will" get everything. dyed to. match a given colour. iT'om tne sheerest silks and chiffons down to .the of shoes and bags, it. is; possible ' to; be matched \Xo .'any.sof . the:' /registered colours:of. the season., '..■ • ■ . . :, • ' ■ There are two;.types of colours.this year, the -largest section heing ' 'the pastel'and seasonal colours 'ior day. clothes. These ;are particularly lovely, each 'being sa- soft nattering shade oi the particular colour/: and aacn s'aown in two or more shades, to give the. matching contrasts"', -wmch have been recently favoured:*.; -

r Two blues that are particularly-smart are "Flag Blue' 'and* "iris i-siue.' .'.rriese are the'- dark and ligtit. bJues witii. a hint oi mauve,.that, biend \ so weli.lor day clothes. "Burnt Kust" ' and' "Sun Mist" are two : other-good colours,'lor an- autumn ensemble;1 The light beige oi the "Sun Mist", is equally correct: if used for the entire suit,,with.a blouse oi the darker snade, as if the more conventioriar arrangements' of dark bacK: ground and hgnt touches is used. "Cossack Green," "Cr-vss Green." 'ana "Pistache" are three' shtides.'.of tne fashionable green, all of which can ;be used in one ensemble. "iTee Moss" exactly expresses the new. grey: it is the. lightest tone of licheh moss, and I have" seen it; used .with many other dark colours with^great success... An ensemble of .nigger brown skirt wit'a a , belted jumper,; buttoned down , the front, of "Tree Moss" grey, with an extra loose grey coat to: match that was lined with nigger brown crepe, ; made an.exceedingly smart' outfit. ' :

Another group.- of; brilliant colours, under1' the, heading of "Royal Caval-! cade" include... , ."Georgian- ..■■, Gold," "Viceroy Blue," "Durbar purple." "Pen; nan.t Green,",."Envoy Red," "Prince's f^lu'e/'.and "Gua^dsman's-Red.".-^ •' : r' ; ; t '.All 61 these, are .the bright clear colours one . associates ■'; with Heraldic .designs, and they are being'successfully.

used in fashion .ensembles'to produce arresting effects. , ' ' ,: V--;

; A short jacket of "Guardsman's1 Red" broadcloth was: shown: over a- black wool dress. An ankle-length fitted coat gown.. ~ Similar coat in bright, yelluw was shown over an evening gown of bright Prince's.Blue crepe.';''.'." /

A violet blue is 'combined, with begonia red. The lovely ,'grey. green is used with mustard yellow, arid scarlet with peacock blue. AIL these brilliant colours create a note of pageantry^ which .in, many cases-is, further enhanced by bright bead and gilt embroideries, and many sequins, /'■ EVENING COA'i'S. .■ The newest evening coat-follows the lines of the Redirigote, but is.ankle,.or even ground length. The bodices'fit the figure, closely above the waist- Below they,may continue shaped.to the hip.line and then: flare, or the skirt may be full and gathered Into, the waist of the bodice but without any belt.: A few have all the fullness gathered at also in this red,' with tailored collnr and. revers, and! squared shoulders opened over, a white satin .' evening