NEW ZEALAND GOODS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 59

NEW ZEALAND GOODS.

FASHION PARADE MANNEQUINS AT D.I.C. The third of a series of mannequin parades took place at the D.I.C. On Wednesday in the presence of some 2000 interested spectators, who were composed, it is needless to state, mostly of women. Had the accommodation been larger the attendance would probably have been much greater. Though, naturally, not as spectacular as on the first occasion when the toilettes shown and the materials used in their confection were suitable for .a season of the year when attires are more “ showy,” more “ dressy,” and lighter, the models displayed on Wednesday were impressive from a utilitarian point of view. The parade proved the feasibility of looking smart in well-planned clothes. Essentially composed of New Zealandmade garments, the parade was staged in connection with * Alade in New Zealand Week.” t With reference to economic difficulties, it was shown how unnecessary it is for the average woman to go past the products of her own country for clothes, when New Zealand “ wearables ” can. compete in style with the imported articles of attire New Zealand manufacturers are excellent copyists, and given the styles or ideas can work them up to perfection. They lare, therefore, able to turn out perfect style garments at a much less cost than imported ones. The “ wardrobe ” of the limited income idea, the working up of

ensembles proved most interesting. Two or three different costumes, it was found, could be worked round the coat and suit base; reliance being placed on colour contrasts and harmonies for variety. With the two-piece suit as a basis, it was shown how clever variation could be worked up. One mannequin wore a frock and fur-trimmed coat of wine material, with a suitable hat and accessories. The frock was then changed to a sunray pleated skirt of a wine groundwork, black and white check, and a wine crepe de chine blouse and the fur-trimmed eoat. Again the blouse was changed to a white wool jumper piped with wine colour, this being also worn with the wine coat. An imitation Harris tweed coat and skirt was an admirable foundation worn with a nigger wool frock piped with fawn, a change being made with a deep oyster satin blouse. Another variation was a brown and fawn jersey frock with tiny pattern worn with the tweed coat, giving an ensemble instead of a three-piece suit. That, and accessories to tone, were worn with all variations. Breaking away from the long coat and skirt as" a basis, the unlined tweed suit was next featured as the basis of an inexpensive wardrobe. The mannequin wore a cardigan suit of a mixed tweed—a green ground with flecks of orange mingled with blues and lighter greens, which allowed plentj’ of scope for variety. The mannequin selected a light mimosa blouse, then changed to a floral georgette blouse on a lighter green ground, which gave, a totally different aspect to the garment. Another dress worn with the coat was of green woven wool, the short cardigan portraying the new mode for solid colour dress with odd colour cardigan. A series of dresses through tailored tweed versions, afternoon and evening frocks for the young people, middle-aged, and matrons followed. Particularly noticeable was the improvement in design and cut, proving how unnecessary it is to go outside our own country for stylish and beautiful clothes. The bride-elect was not forgotten, and a wardrobe was planned for a bride and three attendants, the whole costing only in the vicinity of £25. A smart, well-cut ivory , satin gown and a voluminous lace veil was worn by the bride, and the attendants wore printed silk taffeta frocks of peach, coral, and green, respectively, and hats of black velour trimmed with a swathing of velvet to tone with the frock. An apt remark concerning the two-piece mode made at the parade was, ‘ the costume is the mother and father, and the blouses the family; and the more numerous the family, the smarter the suit.”