The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-07

Some years ago when I was a young
girl and in charge of chaperon who
was given to the vanities OF dress, had
while III Paris, various opportunities of
seeing NJ. Worth, the famous mantua
maker. under other than commonplace
everyday circumstances. One of these
was when we were invited TO visit his
villa in the suburbs, where he lived the
year round.
4 Sunday Call.
Dimanche was the day named for our
visit-the only day when he was to be
found at homeland so on a bright Sum
day afternoon we made by rail the little
journey of six miles, and had no dill
Guilty in finding the house.
We entered through q porte cochier en-
tirely enclosed in glass, and were soon
welcomed by our host himself. who ap-
peared in flowing silken gown of gray
lined with gorgeous yellow satin and
wearing fez on his head from which
Streamed yellow tassel He apologized
for his working dreSs''-which. however,
became him wonderfully-by explaining
that he was experimenting some decora-
tons in a room, and would we not give
him the benefit OF our opinions thereon.
WOrth's Taste as Il Decorator.
The apartment had the appearance Of
a rather spacious hall, with square pill
lars at intervals; the floor was being laid
in white tile, space about yard IN
liant colors in the center of each tile,
the next space that of an eye, the next
of butterfly. ETC. Nothing could have
been more Odd-eVen bizarre. Mr.. Worth
was hesitating between covering the pill
lars with similar tiles or hanging them
with plates of Dutch blue.
The AIiIliner's House.
The entrance to the main floor of the
house presented a charming vista-the
succession OF rooms opening in each other
a a q a
vatory of thrifty palms among which
fountain was playing.
The walls of one room were covered
with plates of exquisite SeVreS china,
held in place with silvered clasps. In
another room was furniture that had
once belonged to Marie Antoinette, That
poor queen, whose belongings must have
been endless. and in this salon were cur
tainS bordered with medallions in which
were wrought copies of the sGv enteenUh
and eighteenth centuries, exquisitely en-
broidered by the Worth workwomen in
the Morte-Ldison.
Suggestive of His Trade.
The amount of embroidery everywhere
gave ii millinerish effect to the rooms.
and when Madame Worth appeared and
we were refreshed with wine and cake
it was al a table with an deliberately en-
bellished crown work" cover with SER
viettes to match. The kitchen of this
richly appointed house was on the top
floor, reached by a spiral staircase Mr.
place for cuisine was in the top of the
house, so that no odorS could be de-
tected below.
Madame Worth.
Madame Worth was saIeswoman in
the c--Jaking house in which Worth was
employed when he first came to Paris
from England, and from which ne
emerged to set up business for himself
She was a pleasant. domestic looking
person, and the mother of two sons, one
of whom still in his teens, was detailed
10 show US about the grounds-M. Castor
] think. ] thought him one of the neCeSt
ing healthy and natural interest in his
outdoor pets, as well d sin the trees and
garden.
Worth's taste and Judgment were far
from unerring, his costumes were some
times even ugly, but they rarely failed
to have at least note of distinction,
they were not commonplace. I remem-
his establishment by invitation, to see
some evening gowns that were to go to
some ladies of rank and fashion. We had
the privilege of seeing the great man.
with his own fingers rearrange the dra-
perieS of his work-wCmen, and with a
pin or two produce an entirely different
effect giving to them the final touch
they lacked-that of style.
Worth-s Idea of Perfect Dress,
! once asked him if he dressed women
according to his own idea of how they
should be dressed.
BLESS your heart. no. he laughed. 81
dress them as they wish to be dressed,
My ideal of dress for women is nearest
capable of beautiful decoration, it is
beaIthfli comfortable graceful bpaIIti-