Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-21
WORTH, THE AUTOCRAT.
How the Famous DressmaI1er Managed
His Customers and Business.

How the Famous Dressmaker Managed
His Customers and Business.
Worth was determined looking man,
rather rude, or at any rate downright in
manner, and resembled Prince Bismarck.
The resemblance was even strong. Like
Prince Bismarck, &c found that blunt
frankness answered If he had not been
dressmaker, he Light have been great
artist, the sense of plastic beauty being
strong in him and allied with the sense OF
color. When Worth opened his famous
dressmaking rooms, he devoted himself tc
measuring ladies, giving consultations
and obtaining orders. The Princess Met
ternich was fresh to Paris and had an ex-
quisite figure of the slight, supple sort.
She started on her career of fashion by pat
ronizing Worth. AS she went in for a
striking style Of dress which necessitated
a constant change she was most valua-
bic patroness.
On days on which there were to be court
dinners or other functions ladies who had
ordered gowns for them came to Worth to
be dressed. First come, first served, but
there was waiting room with choice re-
feshments-a very necessary arrangement,
for fair customer might have to wait
seven or eight hours. When her turn came,
she entered the consulting room. Worth
stood there armed with pair of scissors.
Two women stood beside him. They I'M
dressed the lady behind q screen, Tor her
petticoats were to the skirt of tho gown
what the skeleton is to the flesh When
her toilet so far was complete, the new
gown was donned, and she emerged from
behind the screen to be passed in review
by Mr.. Worth. He was particular about
the cut and plastic points. He criticised
aloud, worked here and there with the
scissors and pins. The women, acting on
his orders, also pinned and piled their
needles. Glasses of wine were administered
when nerves had run down from long
waiting.
Most of those who waited came with
their heads dressed by Auguste, who went
to their houses in Il handsome private car
riage Of his own, and required fee of 40
francs. When Worth was satisfied with a
dress, the wearer might be sure that 1t
was as it should be. He had really strong
feeling of the idiosyncrascs of his differ
ent customers, and their dresses suited
their dispositions. Nobody better knew
how to disguise defect. He hated lean
women and sent away hundreds because
they would not do credit to his art. The
empress corsagcs fitted her like Jouvin
glove. AS he liked to mold the figure he
detested padding He was a dcspot, and
those who submitted to his despotism paid
heavily for it, A plain black silk gown
worth in regard to the cost of stuff 81 or
eS would cost at Worth's 240, but it was
admirably cut and had style. In five years
so rapidly Gid his business grow he had
900 workmen. He had $40 when he died.
He had to buy the whole Of the establish
ment in the Rue de Ia Paix and then an
other equally large house in leading
street for his workrooms.
There was no better employer than Mr..
Worth He paid liberal wages all round
and was kind and even generous to those
in his employment who fell ill. He went
direct to the manufacturers for all his
stuffs He never desired to have more
business than he and his son could attend
to themselves. He remained stanch
Protestant and sat for years under PasteuI
Bersier. His son is of French nationality
and as soft in manners as Worth was
bluff.-London News Paris Correspond
ence.