The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-15
MEN VINO Make DRESSES.
A Visit to the Plain Pnrior Of tho Faskionn-
bic Male Maut maker "r brooklyn.

In that part of Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn.
whore there are many shopping stores of the
best class there is narrow doorway leading TO
second-story apartments over one of these
shops, There is no sign of any sort either on
the door. the stairs. or the wall in front Of the
apartments in question. Yet all day long on
every day but Sunday there roll up TO that door
the most elegant vehicles. II flashing surface.
behind steeds of mettle. driven by livericd ser
wants. Out of those equipagcs and through
tho doorway step ladies sngly and In
couples. all fashionably and generally expen-
siveiy attred. Jewels glitter in their eyes and on
their fingers. and maids follow them carrying
parcels. reticules. or lap dogs. Other women.
equally we'll to do. turn in at this doorway from
the daily parade of fair shoppers on the side
walk 1t is said that not alone the wealth and
fashion and beauty of Brooklyn is thus repre-
sented but of San Francisco. Chicago. New Or
leans. Boston. Philadelphia. and the other
great towns as well. THE Sun reporter. who
passed through this plain portal and mounted
the narrow stairs. heard a clicking and snip
ping as of shears and the music OF feminine
voices through the doorway near the landing,
and going on to the next door ente red and found
himself in a very ordinary apartment furnished
like a commonplace parlor OF rs years ago.
Two or three portraits in Oil framed in gild-
ed plaster and protected by pink mosquito net
ting, hung, against the walls. and 2 set of llve
chairs and lounge. covered with brown rep.
stood &C.. about The IGOR on table were COPIES 1fa
a little stand were hundreds of little bits of tex
tile fabrics OF various sorts as though II
woman 8 rasbag had been emptied there. For
black walnut wardrobes and very stout Ger
man, middle aged. smiling. in a brown suit, with
u heavy gold chain on his ample corporation.
lie was man dressmaker OF whom the re-
porter had heard that he could II axe dress
better bette and charse higher price for the work YORK
Oh account Of tho first REGULARITY al u in spite
OF the other lie cou!manded the q ;am OF the
fabrics, even brocaded silks NJ sl4 yard. cost
less to purchase than to be made up by him,
and there was told to the reporter u story of IA
handsome young woman who bOu-ht Il pretty
piece Of calico at u few cents yard and paid
c2 1t was t said that t this yoSn =" Woman Sr T was
not unhappy. because every time she washed
it-six times in ail-it came out never
looking than before, the art Of the man dress:
maker being Of that nature that nothing could
disarrange wha, lie once had shaped. con.
this artists pecliarities said that IL one Of his
customers presumed TO suggest the manner in
invariably refused " have anything moro to do
ii am not the only man drcssmaker," said
he. There are two others on this avenue.
and there is one in Court street, Iou heard OF
me. probably. because l have the best part, Of
regular apprenticeship in Europe. and when
had served my time travelled from one big
W5yr,S met , only m Ea
rope. There are others in Paris, there is one
great one in London, and Mder.who makes the
and his bus mess is in the hands ofhs sons. They
cutters also men, carry on the business. But
this is the country for that line Of bus ness. be-
cause moro money is spent for dress by Amer
leans than 10y, any other people in the world.
For years the bulk Of Worth,S7 income has been
from Amgrss ta%6d wh Sa ob ND
fitting ladies' cloals and riding habits for
Brooks bro'her', and since then there have
and two, women's ESTABLISHMENTS where men
do the designing cutting. and fitting These
Suppose / was a woman wanting dress.
What you'd you do and what would you ex-
You would come to ask my assistance. 1
would look at yQ4r figure hair, complexion.
qnd age, and would tell you what color to buy.
trust me, You would le. mo buy YOUR goods for
you, because | could do better in the price than
Sq nH yon gold Hi 2r yS 70 t @h
4ut measurement, uut the probability is that
! would take your measure and ten YOU when
sood G h Then would 86a S W5ud out ea aGe
@ me-, because it. is my business
10 know how t" shape a dress to make any ilg-
urc stylish. and 10 match the proper colors
Wlth your predominant color, ! don't refuse
women have lifted there arc very many Of the
most perfect, taste and judgment, and 1t Is n
pleasure 10 baye their Aelp. Those, arc the
!
WinIs and npp.eeiate good work and taste
Your Ghall0w latcS arc the hardest to suit
The are not OF the same mind for two hours.
Ally people do not know my business. | have
Two bastcrs. a sleeve maker, 4 skirt maker, two
70 sow the inside OF waists. and ono To make
tuttouhOle3. Not ono oi these can do anything
but nor own work. | could make dress from
| beginning TO end. but ! never sew Il stitch. |
cut The design OF the dress Tor the woman In
question. and having pinned i together tell
the baster to follow the pins. When tho woman
,ho dress, and when all is ready como anG
look Mt IT. putting mark or a pin here and
Ihere. as the prospective alterations rec iirc.
You ask about my charges. They are high put
not ridiculous havo seen dresses that Worth
has charged $l2O for which | could maho n
proht on Mt sos. Did YOU oversee ono Of Worth :
dresses Hero IL one that did not fit. and has
come to me to be made over"
From n peg in one of tho wardrobes he took
down skirt OF heavy winc-colored velvet,
gathered at the belt and full Mt tho bottom. 1t
was so rich that everywhere tho light fell upon
the edges Of the croases differing depths Of
color were produced. In front. just below. the
belt the velvet WAS slashed, and. IA the edges
foil apart more and more WAS scon Of an in
sertion Of shirrsd satin the color Of Burgundy
| wine and laden down with metal braid OF the
hue OF old gold. and arranged in "a funciful pat
| term Sewed to tho belt. inside. was a bit of
| broad white tape like q boot strap. with tho
name and address Of Worth printed on it in
| gilt characters.