THE DUCHESS OF KENT

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 5

THE DUCHESS OF KENT

ENGLAND'S LEADER OF FASHION There is dismay in the fashion world over the fact that the Duke of Kent is becoming Governor-General of Australia, says an English paper. It is feared—and openly said—that the absence of the Duchess from Britain will have an adverse effect on the whole fashion industry. The Duchess has made fashion history. She has given London the leadership that belonged to Paris, and fashion houses fear that in her absence London will lose that lead again.

One famous designer said: “It really is a tragedy, it is difficult to express in words the impetus she gave to dress designing. Her use of Nottingham lace, Lancashire cotton and ; Scotch tweeds gave new life to those industries. Fashion memories are short, and I’m afraid we may drift back to what we were—dull and uninspired.” One leading man in cotton-design-ing confirmed this. He said: “As a result of the interest of the Duchess in various printed cottons our orders were much larger than ever before. Also the general taste in design and colour has improved very much through the fashions she set.” The head of a house famous for Court and ball gowns said: “The influence of the Duchess on fashions has been one of the most remarkable features of contemporary life. I fear her departure will lessen that influ- ■ ence.” Influence on Fashion A buyer at one of the West End stores said: “She influenced the whole trend of women’s clothes and hats.” A saleswoman at the same store said: “We are always being asked for something ‘such as the Duchess wears.* In the accessory department the bags, gloves and coloured-edged handkerchiefs of the kind carried by the Duchess are a substantial part of our trade.” The manager of a hat firm said: “Our sales went up in a fantastic way , because of her affection for the veiled hat.” The head of a wholesale house said: “We received any amount of orders fre-m London and the provinces for ■ copies of the simple crinoline frock , the Duchess wore the other evening at the Rath Assembly Rooms.” What is the fashion leadership ’ secret of the Duchess? ! “She is unique,” said one expert, . “because she never wears extreme styles. She has perfected the art of I suitability in dress. Yet she can I make the simplest suit decorative and lovely.” Hairdressers lament that they will miss the Duchess just as much as the fashion houses. “She has shown other women,” said one of them, “that it is possible, to vary the hair style to suit the frock and the occasion. This was a new idea to Englishwomen. When she appeared with high curls in the Victorian manner several suburban hairdressers’ shops had to take on extra assistants to cope with the rush of women who wished to do their hair in the same way.” It is believed that when the Duchess goes to Australia at least one famous fashion house will open a branch there.