Across the Tasman Clothes Get Gayer and Gayer

Radio Record, 17 July 1936, Page 54

Across the Tasman Clothes Get Gayer and Gayer

‘And a Tale of a Local Girl who Made Good

(Written for the "Radio Record"

by

BEULA

HAY

sion" window in’ Farmer’s. It cost-£300, and is collecting gaping crowds in -Pitt Street all*day long. This idea is hot from London and Fifth Avenue, ‘New York. There’ appears.to be no glass in the window and you put your hand in to try and touch the goods. You think the store people are crazy to put jewellery and. other valuables where they can be taken by just stepping over the low black wall which your feet touch at the bottom of the window. But if your arm happens to be longer than the law which controls this window, it eventually comes in touch with "reflectionless" curved glass which is invisible until: you nearly break your neck by bending ovér the two feet of floor space in front, and try to solve the "find the glass" puzzle. The two sections of the window curve inwards and are joined by a chromium bar well above the eye level. The two feet of open space in front ‘and the backgrounds are ;painted black, which keeps out all reflections of light from the window lights: and the daylight from the street, As there are mirrors at each end of the window, they re- flect each. other and make the window appear unending. This. window ‘at Farmer’s hasbeen made by the Australian glass manufacturers, and is a credit’to their workmanship. I have heard that architects, especially those building art. galleries, will soon be using none other than this principle of "reflectionless" glass. : GS latest’ sensation is the "optical deluON! Monday I went to David Jones’ advance spring fashion show, which was, a very exclusive ‘affair, so much so that you couldn’t .get in ‘without. an imposing’ gilt-edged invitation. One end. of the extensive: showroom was par-

titioned off and the hub-bub of voices which came from behind could be heard all over. the floor, It was a much depleted show by the end of the afternoon, after , scores of moneyed customers had written cheques and had — many of the exquisite novelties folded neatly in tissue paper and. delivered to their homes. . The exhibits could . not be replaced with , identical ones beeause Miss A, I. Gilmour, -the_ buyer, told me that she had not brought © back’ two of the same. thing. All the ex-° hibits ‘were the choicest ‘selections from London and

the Continent. "I. had a glorious time choosing all these things," said Miss Gilmour. "I spent a wonderful year in London. Yes, I am a Sydney girl. I ‘started at this store as a mannequin and it eventually led to this present position as buyer." Miss Gilmour has an unaffected and pleasant manner which can only be summed up in one word, "charm." She is tall, fair, and. gracious, and like most buyers in big stores, has worked her way: up to this enviable position. Seeing senior girls sent off to the other side of the world to use their brains and have "a: glorious time" must be a beckoning star of encouragement to ambitious: juniors in stores, to try and develop’ attractive personalities: ‘and make their services indispensable. The most amazing novelty brought back by Miss Gilmour is the torch bag. .It is an imposing, shapely affair designed for cocktail parties. In the front is a torch which lights up when the tiny battery inside is switched on. The base of.the torch is of black composition and the flameshaped top is ruby- pink. tinted crystal, Price? .A mere twelve guinéas ! . GRHAT deal hag been heard of the overseas crazé for the new farmyard prints, and at this private preview I saw some of them. A red sports scarf was patternetl with small white ducks, and in one-suit was a pattern of fowls and yellow wings. The wing effect was also carried out on, a black silk dinner frock, which had white collar and cuffs on the tiny sleeves, each shaped like a seagull wing. A diamante stud and cuff-links were added, . A number of the frocks, such as ninon, sheer woollens and marquisette, had flowers cut from floral fabrics and appliqued on. to the

yokes, sleeves or hems, or all. three. .A charniing . style which will give the home dressmakers unlimited scope for ' designing original and attractive frocks ' fot the spring ‘and summer, : Judging from the number of jackets I Saw, these are .going to be a first fa'vourite for morning and sports wear’ néxt season. And a very ‘sensible fashion, too. ~The only style TI "~ don’t like is the sack jacket. It looks just _ like its name,’ formless and clumsy,. re"miniscent of the "athocious baggy | costume coats which * (Cont.’ on paige 58:

Across The Tasman

(Continued from page 54.) ‘women wore about. fifteen years ago. Most of the other styles are trim little tailored jackets with skirt or frock in a contrasting shade, but made of the same material. Notable is the "Gibson Girl" style with full leg-o’-mutton sleeves, clipped-in waists and ample ° basques, HE blouses on display were very gay, and one wisp of stiffened net had a £2/10/- price tag. Rows of tiny buttons are a feature of these blouses, which have high nipped-in waists to make the form look more feminine and appealing this year. Dove grey, the London tan, cerises, blues and pinks are to be the leading colours this season, and frothy ‘"Margot" ruffle collars and cuffs are the latest from Paris, not forgetting the pretty fashion of having a couple of inches of taffeta petticoat peeping from ‘beneath your frock, Net over taffeta slips are to be the convenient and inexpensive frocks worn for the spring, because a new net frock can be slipped over the same slip for several occasions, which gives the appearance of the owner having an extensive wardrobe. The net frocks are not expected to stand up to-:more than one evening’s wear and tear, but as the slip is designed for durability, there seems to be some sense in the fashion; .after all,.