PARIS IN THE MIRROR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 6, 6 July 1929, Page 19

PARIS IN THE MIRROR

(Specially Written for "The Post" by| , "Germaine.") PARIS, Bth May. "Bagatelle in Lilac Time" is the Mecca of the-leading dress creators arid designers. They so to this world-fam-ous garden in search of inspiration for new and unusual blending of the elusive flower colours in fabrics and. embroideries, which are the rage among their exclusive clientele this season; This search for fresh ideas is particularly important just now when the dressmakers are busy making up the frocks for the Grande Semaine and for otherfashionable social functions. Vistas of bluebells in the pale misty colours of their earliest blooming, the delicate bright' greens of the wild hyacinth leaves (one of .the most fashionable colours of the season), clusters of pale mauve-lilac, the changing hues of groups of pale purple ericas, hyacinth blues, amid a crowd of white forget-me-nots, are transformed in the eyes of the dress creator into terms of tulle mousseline de soie, georgette, crepe de chine, and lace. The riot of lovely colour is never-ending in its inspiration. Japanese cherry tre.es, laden with pearly pink and faint rose-coloured blossom, touch the ground. Their branches are like the new wispy trains, embroidered iv tinted pearls. LACE COMB'S BACK. • There are certain secrets it is useless to attempt to penetrate. It is better not even to try to learn exactly what is being prepared in the studios of the

great dressmakers for the coming summer season. However, some little indiscretion permits of an opinion being formed—only suppositions, but suppositions which have nevertheless a certain basis of reality.. Rumours aro abroad that we are really to come back to lace again, the filmy silky lace, embroidered with a- metal thread warp, to beautiful lace, copied straight from tho ancient documents.; Above all, tho rumour goes, that lace will have a very important placo in the evening dress world. I have seen some of this new lace, and would wish to describe all its marvels. Words, however, do not lend themselves easily to describe tho ineffable freshness of the soft colourings and the intricate windings of a thread gossamer from somo magic spider's web. Black satin evening gowns, it is said, wil lthis season bo much lacc-timmed. WHAT CLOTHES MEAN TO CHILDREN. How difficult it is sometimes to choose children's clothes, especially when one wants elegance and simplicity to be the lines on which they are made. How often does one see little girls clad like their mothers, or a very fair imitation of them. And what' a mistake it is, for not only does it give to the children bad habits of luxury, but they usually look most uncomfortable and unhappy in their pretty fragile dresses, which are ruined at once if they attempt to play. So many mothers dress their children to please themselves rather than for the comfort of tho littlo ones • —a foolish idea, as one realises when one thinks how little it takes to make a child unhappy and how quickly childhood passes. To be perfect, both from the point of view of the little wearer and that of the onlooker, coats and dresses must be cut on such simple lines that every movement is left free and easy for the child to play. Simple materials are the best for these little clothes, elegance being contained in dainty fresh colours

rather than in expensive materials. For children the Paris couturiere is making simple little dresses very chic: in style and line, which all have such ' personality about them that they notonly fit the child to perfection but are comfortable into the bargain. These frocks are often in navy blue crepe de chine, brightened by touches of whit? or lighter blue. Thus a navy dress will have collar, guffs, jabot, belt, or even a blouse of the lighter colour, or sometimes have inverted pleats which open to show a different colour from the dress itself. A leather metal studded belt often gives a final touch. CREPE DE CHINE AND STKAW IN MILLINERY. Straw hats have made their appearance once more, and crepe de chine and straw combined are' going to be very fashionable in the millinery world. A hat shown in soft beige straw and draped in front with red crepe fle chine printed with white, black, and yellow spots, is exceedingly smart. Draped hats are coming back again after a long eclipse, for they are most becoming to many faces, besides giving scope to a skilful milliner. In some cases they | are impossible to copy, for while theyl seem to be draped haphazard, the great-! est skill is really, required for their creation. ' ■.'.'• In spite of its being a winter fabric', i-elvct is coming more and more to the front in the millinery world. In the showrooms, as well as in the salons of the dressmakers, this lovely fabric holds precedence. Every day one sees velvet and straw models combined, which are exceedingly becoming, and they often have a special cut of personality about them much appreciated by smart women. The; felt hat is always with us, both hi winter, and in summer, and in such shades as taupe,, lime green, bordeaux red, ; and black, will be much seen. In spite of the rage for the helmet-shaped .model, a modified cloche is still much appreciated, and here the rounded'crown which fits the head exactly and the brim'showing off the outline of neck and profile, is skilfully manipulated. Small details, such as incrustations, embroideries, and, in some cases,- feathers . and even flowers, are used as trimmings.