The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-28
KNEW NOW TO MAKE HIN GOWNS.
success. or Two southern Girls In n novel En-
terpri-r.

Two years ago IL became necessary for a South
ern young woman TO earn her own living. She
came to New York, and after "A course OF study
for n profession was forced by circumstances to
give up her plans. She became convinced that
she could not do the work she preferred, and be-
gan to cast about for some way by which she
might earn n living. Her money was getting low
and she was beginning to feel. desperate, when
she received n visit from n girl friend. This visit
proved the turning point In the lives of both
girls. and in speaking of IL the one who had come
here to earn n living said:
come on to New York to act rs bridesmaid at a
Wedding which occurred early In the season at
tions to visit in New York, and IL was during
these visits that she called on me: Neither one
of us had any idea Of business. In fact. she is
the last person in the world ono would ever have
thought OF for starting u business enterprise.
We were discussing the wedding and several OF
marked that New York ladies looked 70 much
better on the streets than vt an evening enter
tainmcnt. This. you know, IL quite, the reverse
ers. There the ladies look So much better In
their evening gowns than on the street, and 80
much better In summer than In winter clothes.
We fell to discussing this point OF difference
between Northern and Southern women, aud he
cause OF II. We knew II was no fault of the
Northcrn complexion or physique. for in both the
Northern women surpnss the Southcrners. We
never have the beautiful. dainty dress goods at
the South that can hc had in New York. and
even II we did we wouldn't have the money To
buy them. My friend said II was because they
didn't know how to make light gowns. They
tried TO make them too much after the fashions
Intended for heavy goods, and In that way lost
the dainty airy effect.
That remark set mo to thinking, and ! re-.
mcmbercd that | had always been successful
with my summer and evening gowns, and had
always been in demand among my girl friends In
planning aud designing theirs. I couldn't sow
very well, i knew, but | also knew | could plan,
and, ms | was always thinking OF some way |
might earn money, this appealed to me at once.
so l suggested that we form u partnership
to design summer and ball gowns. My friend
took 10 the idca at once, and We began on the
spot to consider how we should start In.
Neither of us could command "A dollars worth
Of capital and 80 we had to feel sure Of things
before We began. We drew and cOlored quite
roughly about two dozen designs. These we
carried to our acquaintance among the society
people of New York and asked their opinion.
telling our plans. In almost, every Instance We
received orders for one or more gowns. When
these orders became sufficient 10 warrant II we
began work by hiring the best French dress.
makers and filters. These did their work under
our personal supervision. and each gown sent out
WAS as perfect In finish "a could he made by the
most famous COStuInCr. America makes the
dainticat muslins in the world. aud why shouldn't
they hc made into gowns to the greatest pcrfcC-
ton by an American firm. As 10 the increase in
our business ] have told you how II begun, and
now you can see for yourself, muliuning TO the
adjoining roOmso OF busy workers. We have a
large patronage In and around New York. We
designs each month. and one Of the large dry.
goods houses. which has "a large read made
dress goods department, has applied to US for
some ueSignS,'