THE MANNEQUIN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4796, 7 January 1925, Page 1

THE MANNEQUIN.

THE CUSTbM IN PAJRIS.

ITS GROWTH AND CONSEQUENCES.

The death of a mannequin from drugging the other day has called attention to the growth of the mannequin custom in Paris and the consequences thereby entailed. Originally little dolls were used upon which to display miniature models. This custom held as far back as the sixteenth century. Latterly the live modei has prevailed, and, since the war, she has increased greatly (says the “Manchester Guardian”). She has increased tor various reasons, some of whicn are contradictory. Salaries have been raised by law, and. it is not absolutely ne’cessary for the girl to supplement her pay by undesirable means.

The trade itself has become more desirable socially. Large numbers of refugee Russians and other impoverished women have become mannequins. Some of them may be princesses ; all of them are supposed to be. There is always the attraction of wearing beautiful clothes, which, even if it palls, makes it very difficult to wear anything less than the best. Further, it is smart to be a mannequin because it often implies a suggestion of dashing dissipation. Smoking, drugging, bearing a highly-souud-ing name —these are all supposed to be the lot of a mannequin, because to many unsophisticated girls it repre'sents the life of high society. High society, of course/ drugs and dashes and smokes and has intrigues. Does not every cheap novel tell one .so ? The illusion fe further sustained by the beautiful clothes and by the sumptuous salons in which they are shown. At the same time the mannequin system is calculated to turn the heads of girls who are wanting in balance. There is the very question of clothes. Nobody likes wearing poor things after spending most of the time in the best that are made. The contrast between the mannequin"js clothes and the mannequins’ salary is bound to be harsh. Probably the only way out is to consider being mannequin as part of the road to a career instead of a blind alley. Some mannequins become saleswomen. Every mannequin ought to be able - to look, forward to some branch of the dressmaking trade, of which the showing off of clothes is only a part.