The
Omaha Sunday Bee Magazine Page
I : 'JT
1 - :. .
Jy
J?:
V ''"'-fNiL
if .J :
rxy v -. m
Ill
V '".-j"
I
A ?-
i .- ' ' .- t
4 ' ' ? V,.. ;
.-I f , ' ' " , . ,' . i .
0d of the Enonnoui New FMtben Uied Mottly
for tb Btigt The Gows 1 Little Dancing Dreu.
The Feather Are from the Ooldeo Pheuaat.
(Luclle Model)
Lady Duff-Gordon Describes Their Use On and
Off Stage, and Gives an Experts Advice Upon
the Proper Dressing of Actresses
DUFF-CORDON, the f.
mom "Lucile" of London, and
foremort creator of faihiooi in the
world, write! each week the faahion ar
ticle for thii oewtpapex, pretenting all that
u icwtH and bett in itylei for we!I-drrued
women.
Lady Duff-Gordon'i Paris establith
ment brings her into close touch with that
centre of fashion
By Lady Duff-Gordon
JUST a little talk upon feathers, especially the
new feathers and the feather as they ought
to be used oft the stage and on.
Brer since I first scrtonsly started In business,
some eighteen years ago. In London, It has been
my privilege to dress practically all of George Ed
wards's gorgeous productions, and he has had such
faith In me that I have sometimes been consulted
as to lighting and scenes and the making up of the
girls' faces as well as their halrdresslng. There
are two entirely different kinds of stage dressing,
both in their way equally attractive to an artist,
though I think myself I prefer a musical comedy
with peculiar and eccentrio effects more than the
drama. In which so many characters are tied down
to a more sober and everyday type of people.
In musical comedy one can make the most won
derful general scheme of color, in which the "i" ts
just dotted by the principle appearing In the finish
ing touch to the color scheme which may be In
turn either demure or eccentrio as the play calls
for. I shall never forget the pleasure that I my
eslf got on the first appearance of Miss Lily Elsie
In the "Count of Luxemburg," when the whole
scheme was completed by the cloak and astonish
ing hat she wore one of the first of Its type, since
made popular In this country by Gaby Deslys It
having an enormous tan-shape aigrette of sapphire
blue.
' Feathers have always played a most Important
part In favbione on the stage possibly because
they naturally have the most beautiful lines and
are splendid mediums for Introducing height as
weS as color. And It Is really extraordinary to see
the number of things that now replace the almost
forgotten, paradise and aigrette. I have three hats
here, each in Itself extraordinary. Two only ap
pear on the stage or restaurant, while the last re
minds one of a weathercock mors than anything
else. It is formed of peacock wing feathers that
are stripped almost to the end and joined In the
middle by a couple of loops formed from the
strtpplngs.
This wss so amusing to me when I bought It
that I placed It straight upon the black shape ex
actly aa one sees the weathercock on the top of a
tower, and anything more attractive than the lines
It makes when the wearer turns Her head cannot
be thought of. Her dress Is of black woolback
satin, made with an apron with bib strap. Over
and under dress of black and white striped taffeta,
with a muslin collar In front. The high black satin
"choker" Is tied with a knot, the ends of which fall .
down the back. The coat, carried on the arm. Is
lined with the same material as the underdrees,
with a couple of lines of bright green satin to give
It a touch of color.
A real theatre gown Is composed of white satin
and draped through a belt of gold tissue and em
erald green. The large scarf of green net Is em
broidered all pver In a lace design In bright gold.
The train is of white satin lined with green, while
a separate train matching the nnderdresa Is of
Persian blue chiffon.
This dress Is made entirely for movement, as
the draperies show every line of the body In which
ever position the wearer may be. The upstanding
feather of blue shaded to green springing from the
band of violet Is essentially for the stage, and gold
slippers with green heels complete the costume.
X little dancing frock of pale gray satin Is short
and rather Victorian In shape, with a full skirt and
little balances of silver lace caught at different
points with small bouquets of silver flowers and
green leaves. A girdle of green and white check
encircles the waist, while the hat la composed of
silver net on green silk wires, with two enormous
golden pheaaant feathers perched on the crown.
. My model making In America necessitated me
opening a separate studio from my exclusive Fifty
seventh street house, and such a full success has
it been that It la now necessary for me to retain
this as a theatrical aa well as a model making de
partment. Here, down on Fifth avenue, I spend
many delightful hours In decorating your most
beautiful American actress a. It ts a work I love
just as much as I do dressing those who are not
on the stage.
sr" . 1 i 1 sa
r
1 u. . x
i
3
f v
41
Ay
A?
VI;
I.;r
"V.
V.
1 i-
Theatre Qown of White Satin and Green. "Volcano" Feather of
Blue Shaded to Green. ("Lucile" Model).
AS)
"Weathercock"
Hat of Peacock Feathers
Stripped to the Ends. The
Dress Is of Black Woolback
Satin, with Apron and Bib
Straps. High Black Satin
"Choker."
("Lttcile" Model).