Chic and Charming

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 452, 6 September 1928, Page 4

Chic and Charming

Modes That Sparkle With Fine Fashion

“THE LAUGHING OPTIMIST”

A pleasing individuality, an intriguing modern appeal, and a fascinating Parisian sophistication, characterised the delightful frocks worn by the feminine members of the cast of “The Laughing Optimist” at its New Zealand premiere at His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The frocks were all distinguished, j perhaps most of all by their sheer simplicity of line and detail, correct j without becoming self-conscious, they j were each charming in their particular way without stooping to pretence, and the accessories that accompanied each toilette gave it the cachet of Paris. Miss Stella Francis, as Phyllis Dawn, had many attractive gowns to wear, and made her.first appearance in a dainty trifle of flowered chiffon. * Made in sleeveless fashion, it acquired a maximum of chic with its softly pleated skirt, and long scarf, caught with careful carelessness at one side wit If a posy of flowers. Its colouring Yvas in charmingly blended autumn shades. Apple-green georgette expressed the appeal of the next gown Miss Francis wore, and was fashioned with loose floating panels to achieve a dipping hemline. Lines of rosebud embroidery lent colour relief to the skirt, and repeated their contrast at the waistline. BRIGHT SMARTNESS An evening gown of shining sequins was worn by Miss Francis in the second act, having a foundation of parchment-tinted g'eorgette, and an inset vest of crepe de chine to accentuate the creamy note. In the last act she wore a frock of georgette in the blue nuance of a larkspur bloom. A trail of gold embroidered flowers appeared at the waistline and again on ono shoulder, catching a floating panel of georgette that drifted into an uneven hem. Her hat was of swathed blue lace, with a cluster of softly shaded flowers nestling at one side of the brimless crown. Her last gown was a deftly draped model of white georgette, caught with a trail of orange blossoms at one side. Miss Frances Dillon, Yvho took the part of Mrs. Dawn, appeared in the first scene in a graceful gown of parma violet georgette, made with long panels that opened in the front over a deeper-toned foundation, and were ornamented with violet and lotus pink beaded embroideries. An evening frock of rose du barri chiffon was elaborately embroidered with crystal for Miss Dillon’s next appearance, and had dainty motifs of multi-coloured beads around the skirt. Over it she wore a fascinating cloak of sheer ring velvet in a deep rose colouring, that faded into viola mauve and was bordered with the softest of grey fur. , A mitred gown of japonica .rose chiffon worn by Miss Dillon had huge appliqued motifs of rose ribbon around the hem, and a flowing scarf of chiffon was caught with a brilliant rhinestone buckle at the shoulder. Miss Mary Brackley, the bright daughter of Mr. Bam Clarke, made her first entrance in a striking three-piece jumper suit of cherry red tricolette, witli a jaunty swaying skirt of kilteu persuasion, and a white hat with led relief. The note of redness was accented by her handbag and shoes. A hundred petals of heavily beaded green georgette formed the skirt of the dainty evening f.rock worn by Miss Brackley, which was girdled with leaf green satin, and in the final act she wore an intriguing ensemble of beige georgette with a sleeveless waistcoat of lame shaded with fawn and gold. The hat that accompanied this frock lifted its brim pertly from her eyes to send it rolling down again at one side under the influence of a drooping feather of green and beige. Miss Joan Rogers, as Mrs. Clarke, also wore several becoming frocks, including a very smart model of black georgette, with delicate white embroideries., and an ensemble of embossed petunia georgette. AMONG THOSE PRESENT Among the audience at the opening of this amusing play were:—Mrs. Bankart, Mrs. A. Nathan, Mrs. Valentine, Mrs. H. Philcox, Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Spence, Miss Ilene Spence, Mrs. C. Sinitli, Mrs. Murdoch Smith, Mrs. P. Herman, Mrs. Snedden, Mrs. Kneebone, Mrs. Carr, Mrs. H. Haszard, Miss McVeagh, Mrs. Watson, the Misses Atkinston, Miss Ince, Mrs. Raymond, Miss D. Shatz, Mrs. Kinder, Mrs. Whitling, Mrs. T. Low, Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Frost, Miss Farquhar, Mrs. Mappin, Mrs. W. Shraff, Mrs. C. Hutchinson, Mrs. E. Napier, Mrs. Ncllo Porter, and many others.