Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-17
PAINTED DRESSES.
Descriptions Of Some Ladies, SOvvms
with Novel Artistic Decorations.

AAeHouSu AouiCo nave al Lidby
balls and parties this season with painted
dresses Of novel and exquisite pattern. the
fashion does not appear to be spreading as
rapidly as was expected several years ago, when
1t flrse became prominent in this country. 1t
was asserted at first that by the aid Of painting
all the effect of the most delicate embroidery
could be secured, with much brighter and more
durable colOrs, and at less expense. The
groundwork OF silk, satin, or velvet has furn-
ished opportunity for many beautiful designs,
and some effects have been produced that could
not have been attained in embroidery without
enormous cost. Some of the ladies complain,
however, that the painting is not SO durable as
embroidery, and requires greater care to pre-
vent destruction by cracking. The parts of the
dress usually ornamented by painting have gen.
orally been the large. smooth surfaces which are
not easily wrinkled; but it is admitted that the
wearer OF painted dress, if she wishes to pre-
serve its beauty, must be very careful, person
indeed.
Among the earliest painted dresses TO attract
attention in this city were several which were
worn by Miss Fanny Davenport. Since then
orally the work of artist friends. Mary Ander-
son has had number of painted costumes.
One of black velvet and white satin, having the
appearance of enclosing, was painted tor her
by Miss Louise Brudic. OF Syracuse. Miss Cora
Tanner, who recently appeared in "Odette" at
the Park theater, Brooklyn. had two painted
dresses which attracted attention. One was a
train dress. made up without lace of blue satin,
on which were painted scarlet peoples, golden
rod, cat-tais, and wild leaves that covered the
entire front. The second dress was a pink
surah satin with painted panels, on which were
one large bunch of peonies, the bough of an old
tree. and two large bluebirds. They were
painted by Miss George Lamson, of Brooklyn.
Miss Rosa Keene. who played Dora in the
planters Wife," had black velvet dress
mol ntnAi no h,l T
Miss Laura Don has worn several stage dresses
painted by herself in water colors. One was
painted on the back of the waist, and the other
on the lower part of the skirt. Most painted
dresses, however, have been done in OIL as
water colCrs have been found to fade Artists
claim that the embroidery work lacks accuracy
both OF form and color, and is altogether mad
equate to give the delicate tints, the proper
shades, or the finely turned curves of vines and
tendrils.
One Of the opera companies playing "Pa-
thence" had a set of costumes painted by VAL
lier. Miss LeOndrfa Bradley, of the Robson and
Crane troupe, appeared in Brooklyn recently
with notable painted dress. 1t was black
satin train with shirred back, square-cut waist,
and lace sleeves. The ornaments painted on
the skirt by Miss Fanny Clare. of Brooklyn, were
red lilies, red and yellow wild flowers, butter
flies and birds. Under the brilliant light Of the
theater the erect was very striking. Miss Rose
COghlan and Miss Emily Rigl have variety of
pdiuIeu uTeBSeS LII Clclr WarurODeS. MISS Sadie
BigelOw, of Robson and Cranes troupe. has
worn yellow satin dress, painted with scarlet
lilies, roses, and morning gOries by Miss Fanny
Clare Of Brooklyn. Miss Lillian Vane has worn
a painted white satin dress. Miss Belle Nellie
vile, who Is now playing in the 'Shan Rhue,"
has some dresses delicately painted by Miss
Amy Stocking OF Brooklyn.
Among the artists Mr. Hicks has painted a
dress for his wife, which che wore at the SorOsis
reception this winter. Mr.. Harry Fem has
painted several dresses for his daughter. Miss
Griswold painted for herself princess train
party dress with panels in place Of overskirt.
On the panels were blackberry vines shaded in
autumn tones. There was recently on exhi-
bition at the rooms of a theatrical mOdste in
Fifth avenue, near 18th street, an ele-
giant painted evening costume. The cOrsage
was of ruby Lyons silk velvet, decoettee,
pointed back and front. The neck and sleeves
were trimmed with antique lace representing
roses. and buds hand painted in delicate tInts
The Skirt was of navy satin duchesse a narrow
putting OF the velvet showing out from UNDER
meath the skirt, with full ruching of lace to
match neck and sleeves. The panel on the right
side was painted to correspond with the rest of
the dress. Two paniers, one falling over the
other from right to left. were edged with
painted lace and fastened to the center of the
train with loops and ends caught with silver
buckles. At the Arion ball this year a lady
wore Dress the painting alone on which was
said to have cost 50 600.