DRESS CAVALCADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1940, Page 8

DRESS CAVALCADE

HUNDRED YEARS OF FASHION

INTERESTING DISPLAY AT OPERA HOUSE.

AN OVERFLOWING AUDIENCE.

Dross glories oj‘ past demies saw,llio light again in effective 'pageantry ai llio Opera House last night when a cavalcade of fashion was presented as an opening feature of the local Centennial celebrations. There was a large and appreciative '-audience, a great many intending patrons being turned away for lack of room.

The display' was interspersed with musical items, under the direction of Mrs Miller Hope, who was presented with a bouquet by the commentator, Mrs T. Jordan. Appropriate songs and choruses were sung most melodiously by a party consisting of Mesdames Bennett, Moss, Prior, Speight, Snowsill. and Traynor, and Miss Jamieson. Commencing with a show of period dresses from 1840 to the present time, the mannequins gracefully displayed valuable and irreplacable old crinolines, the first of the series being worn by Miss Nora Beetham, which was a genuine crinoline lent by Mrs Hubbard. The frills on the skirt were of fine hand embroidered muslin. A beautiful reproduction of a blue crinoline, which was worn by Miss Cruickshank at a song recital given by her in London in 1926. was worn by Miss Betty Judd. A third crinoline was worn by Miss Chris Hosking and was originally worn by her mother at a fancy dress dance in Masterton in 1913. A handsome old dress of heavy grey moire, which belonged to Mrs John Perry’s mother and was worn by her in the early fifties was worn by Mrs Burling. The next period was in the ’sixties, a beautiful green velvet dress which was worn by the late Mrs T. C. Williams at a ball in Wellington in 1868, with a removable panel down the front, was worn by Mrs Everard White. The wearer of a small taffeta afternoon dress was Miss Alison Morice. the dress belonging to her grandmother, the wife of the Rev G. Morice. Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly in New Zealand. and was worn by her in about 1873. The little basket carried at the side was a cap basket used by old ladies to keep their lace caps in. The famous draped skirt of 1870 worn over a wire bustle, the last remnant of the crinoline, a red satin evening dress worn by the late Mrs Baird at a ball at Government House, Wellington, in 1870. was presented by Mrs John Bird. The charm and dignity of the visiting dresses of 1879 were vividly depicted. Miss Gambling wearing a black outfit worn bv the late Mrs Gray at the christening of one of her children. A blue dress in the trousseau of the late Mrs John Deans of Christchurch, was worn by Mrs lan Bunny. A green taffeta dress, banded with velvet, which belonged to Miss Rockel, and was worn by her in the middle eighties followed, a seaskin jacket and muff of an earlier period completing the ensemble, worn by Miss Gwen Pither. A polonaise and dress worn by Mrs Anderson, wife of an Eketahuna pioneer, was worn by her daughter. Miss Anderson. Miss ' P. Cretney presented a charming effect in a black silk outfit, of 1881 vintage, own-1 cd by Miss Robieson, the former property of her aunt, the late Mrs Carter, of Carterton. The bustle period of 1881 | was ushered in by a purple and grey dress, worn by Miss Mary Free, and owned by her grandmother, Mrs .Sheet.. A blue and grey gown of the same period was worn by Miss Winnie Young. A lavender going away dress worn by Mrs Burling followed. Miss Catherine Maunsell wore a black taffeta and lace gown, owned by Miss Rockel and worn by her in 1886. The lace shawl belonged to Mrs Jordan’s grandmother and was of an earlier period. A natty little] brown and gold silk dress was presented by Miss Jose Hosking. the dress being worn by Dr Archer Hosking s mother in 1888. The richness of velvet was shown iu a graceful dross of 1892. worn by Miss Gorringe, the property of Miss Robieson. Miss Anderson, of Eketahuna, was a charming little lady of 1890. The correct wear for a matron making a call in 1892. which belonged to a great aunt of Miss Jean Douglas was worn by Miss Peggy James. The height of style in the ’nineties was presented by Miss Kane wearing a dress worn by the late Mrs Bail'd at a function in Wellington. A black visiting outfit of 1893 was worn by Miss Barbara Birch, with a very smart cape adding to the chic appearance. An evening dress of cream brocade and pink chiffon which was worn by the late Mrs Sydney Johnston at a reception, in London, and with a slight alteration worn by her daughter. Mrs Dan Riddiford in 1908. was worn by Miss Moira Whyborn.

The beginning of a new and exciting era was presented with the period from 1900. In this group of charming dresses the mauve brocade dress and the white chiffon and black dross which belonged to Mrs Arthur Russell of Palmerston North, wore worn by hoi’ in 1908. A black and white gown was worn by her neice. Mrs Colin Deans, and a mauve by Miss Mary Maunscll. A black and white brocade belonging to the late Mrs Williams, and worn by her when presented at Court, was presented by her neice, Mrs P. Borthwick. That was the heyday of the beautiful underskirts worn under the dresses. The correct wear for the Sabbath in 1900 was worn by Mrs Robert Miller, the property of Miss Milne. A lovely frock of white and gold brocade with black lace overdress. which was worn in London in the summer of 1901 by the late Mrs Sidney Johnston as half mourning for Queen Victoria, was presented by Mrs Tolhurst. Then came a young matron of 1902, the dress being lent by Mrs Pither. The bonnet belonged to Mr;; Wakeham and was worn by her in Masterton in 1905. A dolman, or lace cap. completed the outfit, which was worn by Miss Nora Ractlilfe. When Mrs I 1902 decided to take her baby for a walk, with cumbersome, long clothes and "hygienic feather" in the baby's hat. all worn by three of Maslerton's| men as babies, she was astonished to] meet Mrs 19-10 out with her baby. They exchanged and examined the extraordinary clothes, but wore glad to get their own babies back. Mrs Dundcrdale was the 1940 mother.

HUNDRED YEARS OF FASHION

A hand-embroidered silk evening gown of 1904, lent by Miss H. Vallance was worn by her grand-neice, Miss Valerie Rishworlh. A beautiful embroidered blouse, owned by Miss Vallance was demonstrated by Miss Q. Hosking. A dress worn in 1906 at a reception in. London, by the late Mrs S. Johnston, with a hat with a curling feather and crown of pink roses was particularly attractive and the style well, became the wearer, Mrs lan Bunny. A different type of dress was then presented, looser and more comfortable. Miss Barbara Earton featured the muslin skirt and blouse of 1907. all tucks and fancy touches, lent, by Miss E. Baird. An. excellent example of the merry widow hat, which required such a superabundance of hair and hat to balance the frills and furbelows of the dresses, as worn by Mrs Skeet in 1911 was presented by Miss Rae Harrison. The hobble skirt, “one of the greatest atrocities ever thought of." which was the rage- in 1911, was worn by Miss Anderson. A smart creation which was worn by Mrs Dan Riddil'ord as a going away dress alter her marriage in 1910 was an outstanding exhibit. The dress was worn by Mrs Riddil'ord in Japan, at an Imperial garden party. An example of the fashionable muslin dresses of 1911 was an embroidered voile dress with a large shady hat. The dress and hat. which was lent by Mrs Coom was worn by Miss Mary Pither. Miss Valerie Rishworlh was the wearer ol a charmeuse frock, worn by Miss B. Vallance in 1912 to the wedding of her neice. Miss Norah Bennett (Mrs Rishworthi Features of the period were braid and velvet and buttons.

Riding habits from 1880. 1893, 1901. 1904. 1916 to 1940 were admirably presented by Mesdames Tolhurst and Norman Beetham, and Misses I. Barton, D. Todd. B. Birch and M. Maunsell. Passing over the war period, a georgette evening gown, worn by Miss Jessie McKenzie in 1919 when she received her war decoration at Government House, with the dcroeation showing on the dress, was worn by her sister. Mrs J. Gray. 'Miss Mollie Dwyer presented a grey silk afternoon dress of the same period worn by the late Mrs Evan McKenzie at a wedding in 1919. In 1920 styles had not changed much. There was a bunchiness in the skirts, and the hair was worn low over,the forehead and gave a heavy appearance. Miss Claire Wright demonstrated a black evening dross belonging to Miss Payton. the cloak being owned by Mrs Moser. That dresses were getting straighter in 1925 was stressed by the great charm owing to the colouring and beautiful, brocade up the skirt, of the dress worn by Miss Leslie Beetham. The period of complete shapelessness from 1926 to 1929 was humorously illustrated. Curves were definitely out and the flat, board-like appearance desired by all. Dresses just hung from the shoulders, fitting nowhere. Waists had slipped to the hips and hems had come up to the knees. The following presented dresses of that period: Misses D. Kennedy, G. Pither. Y. Stilburn. B. Judd and P. Cretney.

A graceful georgette dress worn at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace by Miss Celia Drummond in 1933 was worn by Miss D. Todd. Mrs John Lawson looked charming in a frock worn by Mrs Dan Riddil'ord when she was presented at Court in 1935. The outstanding feature of the display was a wonderful array of wedding gowns, presented as follow: —

1873: Rust taffeta and velvet, worn by Mrs James Young at her wedding in Palmerston South, in 1873. worn byMiss Winnie Young (grand-daughter), 1876: Blue taffeta dross worn at her wedding in Wellington, in 1876, by Mrs R. McKay. Worn by her grand-daugh-ter. Mrs Robertson. 1879: White satin worn by the late Mrs John Deans, of Christchurch, at her wedding in 1879, worn by Mrs J. Holmes.

1882: Fawn alpaca, worn by Mrs Dagg at her wedding in 1882. Wearer, he/grand-daughter. Miss Taylforth.

1905: Cream satin, worn by Mrs Lew Moore at her wedding in Masterion in 1905, worn by her neice Miss Margaret Mawlcy.

1910: Mrs Dan Riddil'ord's dress of heavy silk, hand embroidered, worn at her wedding in 1910. Wearer. Miss Esme Harding. 1911: Mrs Sheet's satin dress worn at her wedding in Masterton in 1911. with an elaborate train, worn by Mrs T. C. H. Miller.

1912: Cream satin worn by Mrs Archer Hosking al. Tier wedding in Masterton in 1912. Wearer, Miss Nora Robinson.

1924: Cream satin worn by Mrs Len Daniell at her wedding in Masterton in 1924. worn by her daughter Miss Elizabeth Daniell.

1940: Present, day wedding dress of gold brocade worn by Mrs Norman Beetham al, her weeding in Masterton. in February. 1940. A beautiful old lace shawl owned by Mrs J. Caselbc-rg, and worn by her grandmother was displayed along with a fine old silk shawl lent by Mrs John Perry. The audience was particularly amused with an old night shirt, of spun linen and over one hundred years old, which was worn by an old gentleman, complete with night cap and candle. Cld-time neck to knee bathing suits and the modern costume were shown in vivid foiitrast. A large number of hats of all. sizes and descriptions were on show and provided much laughter. A lilting climax- to Ihe magnificent display was a ver.v fine lableau, in which ail the mannequins appeal'd. The committee is to be congratulated on its ver.v fine effort in producing such an interesting and outstanding display and earned handsomely the cheers it was accorded at. the conclusiou of Ihe performance