THE AWAKENING OF SPRING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 124, 16 August 1927, Page 4

THE AWAKENING OF SPRING

| A FASHION TEA AT MILNE’S ; Heralded by a quintette of daintilyi robed dancing nymphs, Spring was for- ! mally ushered in at Milne and Choyce's Tudor room this morning. Spring came in a blaze of colour and a dazzling array of new ideas. Throughout the display of charming modes which milady will wear this spring ran the basic idea of extreme simplicity . . . but always it was that subtle simplicity that is achieved through elaboration and infinite attention to detail. People are apt to talk of the eternal sameness of the present-day clothes and the monotony of the mo£e, while in reality that mode, as expressed at Milne’s, showed itself to be so essentially varied, so adaptable to individual taste and requirements that it was anything but monotonous. The silhouette itself remained the same . . . slim and straight in most cases, with here and there an intriguing divergence accomplished by deftly-placed pleats and gathers and swathings. The newest notes that one saw repeated over and over again were quaintly-tied scarves of materials to match the gown or suit, hats that fitted the wearer so snugly as to seem an integral part of her shingle . . . again, hats of more generous proportions with daintily flower-laden brims. Feathers were used to trim a variety of hats . . . here they appeared in a flat covering for a helmet-shaped chapeau . . . now they were glycerined to stand pertly up all over a close little Lindberg model . . . again they drooped caressingly down over or through the brim of some shady hat . . . always they were charming. FEATHER BOAS AGAIN The feather boa, so beloved of our softly feminine maternal ancestors, returned in all its curling, flattering beauty ... but with what a difference! During its long absence from fashionable horizons the boa liasvacquired an infinite amount of chic. No longer is it content to be plain black or white, but with evening frocks, with race toilettes and with smart afternoon gowns it appears in softly-matching hues. It is so long since veils were worn that quite a little astonishment was < created by the veils that accompanied some of the smartest hats at the fashion parade, but there was no denying the effectiveness of the various types of veil. Whether it appeared as a coquettish eye-drape or in its longer flowing form, the veil was decidedly “right” and, being so old as to be almost forgotten, was hailed as something “extremely new, my dear!” CHECKS TO THE FORE Checks and checks and checks again! So diverse was the selection of checks we saw this morning that all kinds of patterns still persist in dancing before us. Very fine black and white checks were used for the most severe of tailleurs . . . again they appeared in a coat that left nothing to be desired but possession. Of fine coating it took distinction -unto itself with a quaint applique design of black vandyked satin on the sleeves and a narrow little belt of mort ne . . . that being the "nice” name for unborn calfskin. Of scarlet and white checked Kasha was a trim little semi-tailored suit, fashioned . . . and so very smart it looked with its accompanying white shirt blouse, scarlet tie. hat and large flat bag. A multitude of other suits wererfshown ... so many indeed that it appeared one simply must wear a suit to be considered smart at all this springtime. Of fine tweeds and flannels of the Kasha persuasion, with here and there a reptilian trimming ... of georgette and satin ... of jersey cloth and crepe de chine . . . every possible material was used in the expression of these smart little modes, and always the accessories that accompanied them were the things that gave them just that air of difference from the suits of yesteryear. FOR THE AFTERNOON Milady’s afternoon toilette was shown in almost bewildering variety. Perhaps one of the most striking gowns was a model expressed in orange and black crepe de chine, with tightly swathed hip line and flowing sleeves. With this delightful gown was worn a hat of orange satin, and an amusing accessory was a dear little woolly dog, whose spinal column proved to be a zipper fastening that shot open on occasion to disclose the quaintest of vanity bags way down in the canine’s middle. Of quieter design was a charming ensemble in oyster grey crepe faille and georgette, with one of the popular sleeveless waistcoats worn over an embroidered gown. A grey hat of closefitting shape and grey shoes and stockings completed a charming ensemble in which the only colour note was struck by an enormous shoulder posy of violets. Evening gowns displayed a love of glistening, gleaming beads and fringes, and the popularity of appliqued designs. Crystal beads fell with the cascading ’ grace of baby waterfalls over one model ! of ivory georgette; another in black showed a charming jetted design. One of the most attractive frocks for evening wear was of black georgette with an all-over appliqued pattern of col- : oured petals, outlined with sequins. A . scathed hip-yoke held a daintily full overskirt in place . . . and the audience ; was admiring this particular gown immensely when it* discovered it pos- ( sessed a dual purpose. The skirt came 1 off . . . and lo! it was a dashing little matching cape! A BLUE SPRING Blue was predominant in all the ensembles. Navy blue the best beloved, . then came a shade that was neither sky nor hyacinth nor delphinium, but just : a charming blend of all three. After ’ blue came scarlet, greys, delicate ' shades of rose beige and lotus, and a wealth of pastel tints. Accessories were more varied than ever before, and in--1 eluded new bags, flat shoulder cabou--5 chons of feathers to match a hat, very 5 large shoulder posies, a bow at the edge of a square neckline, waistcoats in every material from filmy lace to leather, and a hundred and one other charming things to provide Milady with scope for distinctive dressing. The mode for children was attracs tively portrayed by two delightfully dainty kiddies who wore with nonchali ant grace pretty frocks and suits and ’ coats and hats that were veritably n miniature versions of the grown-up mode.