Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-03-13
ACTRESSES DRESSES.
Results Of a Reporters Investigations
Into the Alleged Extravaganza Of
Aclresses---Where the Costly
Costumes (7l are Really
Made.

Chicago Inter-0cean.l
If Worth really originated all tn,
costumes that are credited to him i
would take the looms of France t
supply the required material. If an,
of the great McFlimsy family take {
little run across, you know, it is tC
air on their return an extravagant din.
ner costume. a unique ball toilet, or +;
street suit hat for rich simplicity is
unsurpassed and they are invariably
from Worth'S." Many a garment
comes from Paris, to be sure, and just
as surely a mere glimpse of many OF
Ofthese garments would cause the i'm.
mortal man milliner to shudder die
he know they We're attributed to him
Let a senator's wife give a reception.
Jenkins has it on unimpeahable au-
thority that her toilet was imported
from the great Worth's expressly for
this occasion even to Mrs. Hayes has
this very hackneyed phrase been at.
tributed. As to brides in fashionable
circles, the glamour would depart
from their trousseau could they not
add the inevitable recommendation 10
at least a portion of their outfit; and
actresses, what would become ofthem!
To what end would their genius OF
talent avail if not clad in Partisan
gorgeousness, which could be adver-
tised in big type, and with their dia-
mond robberies furnish floating para
graphs for the press? The question
is, if Worth does not supply these cos
tunes, who does? and thereby hangs
a tale, revealing the selfshnesS of the
feminine soul, and
THE DEPTHS OF DECEIT
to which managers have descended.
For instance, Modieska, when in Paris,
discovered by accident a needy dress
maker, who, possessed of really artistic
skill and taste, needed only to be
brought into notice to make her for
tune. The clever actress ordered a
toilet, leaving the designing and style
to little Madame -. When the cos
tune was completed, it was so exqui-
sitely made, and so unique, that
Modjeska Immediately ordered the
rest of her outfit for the season from
the little modiste, aud, be it whis-
pered, at bottom prices. While the
work was going on, who should come
tripping over to the gay capital to get
some new clothes but Clara Louise
Kellogg. Now life is short, and time
is fleeing. Worth was ordered to
make some costumes, but it was dur
ing the Exposition, and he was
worked to DEATH Miss Kellogg flew
to Modieska, though, according to
weight, flying would have been easier
TO the party of the second part, and
implored her advice as to whom she
could get to complete her operate
wardrobe. Having a natural admira-
ton for each other the Countess Be-
zenta agreed, on promise of solemn
secresy, to tell Clara Louise of her
newly-found treasure trOve, and the
consequence was the little workwoman
turned out a number of superb toilets
for the singer, which so pleased her
that she shook hands with Modjeska
in a general covenant not to let any
one else know of this modest modiste,
and in that way they could keep her
from becoming the fashion and raising
her prices.
Many costumes from abroad worn
by Americans were bought ready
made, or ordered
FROM CHEAP sEwING-WOMEN,
and it is this description of clothes
that would make Worth wriggle to
have his name tackedto them. Among
actresses, besides Modjeska, who have
made their clothes part Of their stock
in trade, are Fanny Davenport, who
also owns the h~andsomest collection
Of diamonds of any one in her pro-
fession; Sarah Jewett, who writes
poetry, and can drive a four-in-hand
Mrs. Florence, whose roles in them
selves necessitate extravagant dress
ing and TO this list, to which a num-
Der of others might be added, has
been tackled the name of Maud Gran.
ger. All of these ladies have theii
dresses made in New York, as a rule.
Miss Jewett and Miss Granger do,
without exception. Fabulous prices
are said to be paid for some of these
toilets, but the assertions are generally
made by men, to whom a long train, Q
plentiful splashing of color, and a
sprinkling Of diamonds, be they real
or false, convey am impression of cost
illness. 1t is not an uncommon thing
to see a notice something like the fol,
lowing: Miss Florella Fitzsplurgel
(Heavcnsl what a name) Of Thingum-
bob Theater, will make her debut il
her new role tomorrow evening. Hel
dressing is said to be magnificent, hel
imported toilets costing something like
one thousand dollars apiece
IL is utterly impossible for a dres:
made Of velvet, silk, or satin to cos
as much unless it is trimmed with /;
quantity of fine lace, or has ornaments
Of genuine precious stones. II lace il
used il is made not only TO last fol
years, but to DO tackled on any number
Of toilets to which it imparts a finish
ing elegance. Miss Kellogg, who
without exception, woars the mos.
expensive costumes seen on the stage
has not a dress that cost over $500
And as to the toilets Of Miss MauC
Granger, which a dramatic poys
paHpp
SEIZED on AS GNoRDINATELY tx
TRAYAGANr
for an actress receiving ordinary pay
an Inter Ocean reporter called Ga tina