The FASHION REVIEW

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 307, 26 September 1929, Page 2

The FASHION REVIEW

BY

SUZETTE

The late spring and early summer J of this year are seasons of nimble fingers. Never have they been so busy with scissors, threads and needles and pressing irons. By day and by night cut is complex and details are intricate for both plain and printed fabrics, whether they be of silk or wool. For years there have not been so many bands—interlacing, diagonal, horizontal and vertical —not so much attention being, given to the finishing of edges, nor s» many bows, while the way ruffles and flounces, cascades, trains, panels and wings give impersonations of one . another is a show in itself. Lingerie details are everywhere, and there is j embroidery, and also there are buckles and buttons ; and their ways and means are devious. All this is very lovely when rightly done, but oh ! the danger when it is no t—and these dresses of 1929 have a catch in them. If they are not the product of both talent and technique, coupled with discretion, the results are fussy ; and fussiness, dowdmess and vulgarity are all on a par, and frequently waiting round some corner, when .the mode is feminine. If

one is to avoid the pitfalls which attend this fashion, more necessary than ever are those primary fashion virtues sensitive knowledge, good taste and strength of elimination. Yes, madam, there fs a new spirit in fashion. Paris is full of signs of the very firm resolve on the part of

French dressmakers to safeguard the \ exclusiveness of their dresses. Some have fabrics that no one else can use, patterns that they control in all colours and fabrics; others have re- ! served fabrics, exclusive to them in I certain colours, Every house is using a wealth of detail. There is more handwork, more dressmaking detail, than in the past 15 years. The object of all this is that dresses are much I harder to copy, and .the result is j greater exclusiveness. The mode of this season is like a great big party. Some fashions are arriving, others are leaving, some stay in little aloof groups, some stand by the door taking a long time to say good-bye. It is these fashions that I will endeavour to tell you about in subsequent reviews.