Charming Frocks in “Pygmalion”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 223, 9 December 1927, Page 4

Charming Frocks in “Pygmalion”

A Symphony in Black Georgette from Isobel

A spontaneous murmur of feminine approval was heard in the concert chamber of the Town Mall last evening, where the Little Theatre Society was presenting Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” when Linda Murphy, who plays th© part of Eliza, appeared in an exquisite gown of black georgette heavily encrusted with large paillettes of jet, that shimmered in dusky beauty. The delightful frock was fashioned with a bolero effect of the paillettes around the bodice, and again on the gracefully full skirt they appeared in a deep shining band. A square neckline struck one of Dame Fashion’s newest notes and the sleeves were made effectively wide of armhole and adorned a few inches above each w.rist with deep rows of jet. A hat of close-fitting persuasion was expressed in fiat folded black satin and from the back two swirling clusters of coque§> feathers drooped caressingly over each shoulder. A small vanity case of jet with tasselled finish, a debonair cane of malacca, a triple row of pearls and white chamois gloves completed in charming fashion one of the most effective toilettes that has been seen in any local amateur production.

Miss Murphy wore several other attractive frocks, including a dainty evening gown of white georgette, fashioned with a swaying hemline that drooped unevenly at the back and raised itself in front to be caught with a tracery of crystal embroidery at the waistline. Beep panels curved down at either side and ended in scintillating fringes of crystal beads, and over all the frock a fairylike pattern of shining beads was b.roidered. With it she wore an ombre-shaded shawl of deeply-fringed green and silver brocade, and a touch of colour was lent to the frock by a dainty plume of rose du Bafri ostrich lightly caught to one shoulder.

A frock of champagne lace and georgette, made with a finely-tucked bodice and skirt into which panels of lace were inset was worn in the last act, and with it Miss Murphy has a sweeping hat of matching georgette, the upturned brim of which drooped at the side to show a cluster of rose pink flowers nestling beside the crown. A rose-coloured vanity case, beaded baretta shoes in brown satin and gloves and hose of champagne tint were effective accessories.

A piquant little pyjama suit worn by Miss Murphy was expressed in apricot crepe de chine with collar of white to match the large white buttons. The trousers determined to be original, had large stripes running horizontally around them. With it went a cherry-red happy coat embossed with large rose and emerald flowers.

Miss Biddy Philcox showed charming taste in the dainty frocks she wore during the evening. For her first appearance she chose a pretty little georgette of powder-blue toning worn under a georgette coat witli hands of lotusdyed fox fur. A feathered bag of lavender toning gave a bright touch to her pretty ensemble. In her next appearance she was seen in an attractive frock of leaf green crepe de chine, made on slender lines, with a sleeveless bodice and wide-pleated skirt, into which a band of figured crepe de chine was set. A knee-length coat of the figured material was banded with green, and a fawn hat emphasised the two-tone effect of the ensemble. One of the new puppy-dog handbags was carried by Miss Philcox. Mrs. McCallum appeared first in a frock of deep green georgette, opening in front to show an underdress of flower-printed crepe de chine in green shading. At the low waist-line a bow of green georgette was caught, and another bow appeared at the back. A jumper suit of wallflower tricot was worn by Mrs. McCallum in the next scene, and finally she chose an ensemble of ruby-red crepe alonza and black georgette and lace, with a widebrimmed hat of black trimmed with sweeping plume and a veil. Miss Ethel Rae wore a frock of black crepe under a gleaming cloak of silver and black brocade in the first scene, and afterwards she appeared in a severe tailleur of black crepella with a light trimming of reptile. , A highcrowned hat of black satin was trimmed with upstanding bows of crepe faille. Sister Hovey and Miss May Cleal, as the housekeeper and maid, had no opportunity for wearing pretty frocks, and appeared , in their respective uniforms, looking very efficient, very smart, and quite appropriate.

The frocks and shawl that Miss Murphy wore were all from Isobel, in Dilworth Buildings, the importer of delightful frocks. Miss Murphy’s hats and accessories came from Miss Dixon, in Queen Street.

THE KNEE BRACELET A PASSING FANCY Knee bracelets have arrived! Mostly they are half an inch wide and intended to take the place of garters. Y'ou may, of course, wear a pair, but the single “bracelet” is considered smarter. Those for day wear are embellished with designs in Greek key-pattern chased on the gold; those for evening wear are set with cabochon stones, sometimes all of the same colour, sometimes in vhriegated tints. This is, however, a fashion which will probably enjoy but a short lease of life, so it may be as well to invest in one that is merely rolled gold, set with imitation gems.

The “snake” is a favourite form of knee bracelet, its flexibility being particularly suitable for the purpose. In any case the bracelet is made in hinged sections, and the front is, of course, much wider than the back, which is very slim and narrow.

Women who have tired of the monogram bracelet for the wrist, are using their diamond and platinum monograms on a piece of black moire ribbon for the knee. This looks charming on a beige stocking. Tiny watches are also worn, but I doubt whether the idea is good for the timepiece.

SYDNEY—AS SHE IS

LARGER, DIRTIER AND NOISIER The following extracts from a letter written by a New Zealand girl at present holiday-making in Sydney, give rather amusing glimpses of the “baby New York” as it appears to strangers. Sydney is larger, dirtier and noisier than when I left is some six or seven years ago. The progress in every way her is staggering and must inevitably lead to a slump. The amount of buildings in every suburban, as well as urban, arA. is amazing. I felt almost lost in old Darlinghurst, where i had lived before, whole residential areas having been turned into shopping centres and slums converted into palatial homes. I have motored round all the suburbs and it lias been most interesting to see all the wonderful homes; they are mansions really, 40 bedrooms being quite an ordinary number. And the gardens! What bowers of roses and carnations and water lilies I have seen! And the lawns are like velvet and wonderfully kept. People here cultivate lupins quite a lot and they are very beautiful and grow in delicate shades of pink and green and blue. In Centennial Park I saw a fair-sized lake so covered with water lilies in all tropical shades that the water was quite invisible. In fact, I got my shoes very wet from going too close to it, as I thought I was walking across a field. Just now the jacaranda trees are in bloom and make huge splashes of vivid ; heliotrope colour everywhere. RAFFERTY RULES The street traffic is terrifying. The traffic regulations are Rafferty rules. 1 Motorists drive everywhere, but on the proper side, and one has to be very 1 slick in crossing streets. The first few s days I was here I was afraid to cross the road. I am told there are 175,000 * i private cars, exclusive of lorries, taxis , and buses, and can quite believe it. The 13

motor-bus service is excellent and buses are even allowed to ply along the tram routes! They charge the same fares as the trams and can be hailed and ; stopped anywhere. The courtesy of both bus and tramway employees is ! most noticeable —they always help passengers to enter and alight, and cheerfully supply any information asked for. I find the service in the shops very slow. One needs lots of time and patience, and a pen«y worth of pins may take half an hour to purchase.

Most of the shop assistants —in this era of modern dress —display everything but intelligence. I have had some amusing experiences in the stores. On inquiring if they stock any particular article one is invariably met with a vapid yawn and “No.” And so one tramps from store to store, and longs to be able to charge the municipality up with one’s boot-mending bill, or to take wing back to God’s Own Country —Yea, for there there is at least civility and a little interest taken in one’s pocket book. They don’t want one’s money

here. The city reeks at once with affluence and poverty. There seems no middle course. Unless you are a prince or a beggar you have no niche. I find myself very “niche-less” and shall be quite satisfied to return to our little islands.

To rid clothes which have been kept shut up in a drawer, or box for some time of the musty smell, take some pieces of charcoal, wrap them in paper and lay them in the folds of the garments.