Richmond times-dispatch. [volume], November 12, 1916, Image 50

About Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current

Image provided by: Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA

                
Copyright, 1916, by tho
Star Company.
Great Britain Rights Reserve*
tADY DUFF-GORDON, the famous "Lucile" of London, and foremost
creator of fashions in the world, write* each week the fashion article for
this newspaper, presenting all that is newest and best in styles for well
dressed women.
Ledy Duff-Gordon's Paris establishment brings her inlo close touch with
thai centre of fashion.
Lady Duff-Gordon's American establishments are at 37 and 39 West
Fifty-seventh street. New York, and 1400 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
By Lady Duff-Gordon
("L U CI L E")
O create exterior forms that invoke the persistently
haunting charm of mystery defines the ages-old
genius of India- In all itB art, architecture, litera
ture, music, religion and in the draping of tho lithe, dark
bodies of young Hindus a single governing theme is
crystal ized?the haunting beauty of mystery.
For a long, long while 1 have sought to grasp that elu
sive secret and weave It Into drapings and adornments
for our Western beauty types that should grace their
natural superior advantages with the added peculiar
fascination that i3 India. Now, at last, I hopefully pre
sent a result that is illustrated on thlB page.
The general effect is what is important. Does It
breathe the spirit of India? 1 feel that It does. In detail
It Is a matter of adapting characteristic forms and mate
rials. The headdress is not an Indian turban. Hut with
its shades of mauve and pink satin, Its garland of flowers
and its surmounting spike of green, dlarnond-jewolled.
certainly It suggests India at first sight. Necessarily It Is
an adaptation. A new mode cannot be literally faithful
to the object which Inspired it.
Thus, too, the vino and fur-bordered embroidered cont
suggests the long and graceful scarves worn by Hindu
princesses. Observe how it is fashioned to appear as
though wound about the body, leaving openings of gauze
through which is revealed the close swathing of the robe
about the knees?another characteristic Indian touch.
The llarlng amplitude of the robe downward from the
coat's fur border Is designed to accentuate that Hindu
slimness of the figure at the knees.
It is not reasonable to expect our women of fashion
to learn to drape their bodies with unshaped fabrics. 80
here the problem for the "Western co stumer Is to apply
her art so as to supply definite garments whieh appear to
be simple draperleB, and indicate the inherent ability, of
Hindu women to ignore the conveniences of seams ant
buttons.
The tea gown illustrated hero is of silver brocade ea
gray chlflon. The underskirt Is of gold colored tissue
edged with Oriental flowers. The collar, cuffs and edge
of the coat are of brown fox. The underskirt lo a shot
marquosette of green and pink, edged with heavy lead to
hold down the train.
This Indian style is, of course, best adapted to the girl
or very slender woman- With that restriction it Is my
most novol conception for the coming season.
An Indian Model Tea Gown
of Silver Brocade,
With Underskirt of Gold
Colored Tissue
1
LuQile"
Models
?>
The Turban in Mauve and Pink
Satin, With a
Jewelled Green Spike and
Garland of Flowers