Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-09-16
GAY PAREE.
Interesting Letter From the Capital Of the
French Republic.
To the Leader.

Paris, France, Sept 10, 190O.-What-
ever may be said of the decadence of
French art as expressed in literature
or painting, no sign thereof may be
seen in the form which refers to the
designing of costumes. In dressmak-
ing as we'll as in cooking, the French
are still preeminent. The gowns dis
played at the present exhibition draw
such crowds of female worshipers,
that they frequently have to stand in
line for hours waiting chance to ap-
proach the glass cases. In the inven-
ton Of new shades and the combina
tion of old ones, in the discovery of
novel effects in draperies and outlines,
the Parisians have long been famous;
and in these cases may be seen illus
trations of their best productions, as
we'll as details which indicate what
the styles of the coming season will be
The French dressmaker approaches an
embryo costume with seriousness and
even reverence, and the result seems
to justify his attitude.
There are not few novelties in the
exposition. One of the costumers
famous for making Partisan women
the prettiest dolls in the world, has
refused to use wax figures on which to
display his creations. They are too
pink and white, he thinks, and they
carry the gowns too much like statues,
4 with no signs of life. He has substi-
tuted terra Gotta figures, the effect of
which is surprising at first, but when
one gets used to it. the originality of
the idea is very pleasing.
One of these models is arranged in
present modes. The material is also
a novelty, something between China
Grape and satin, with all the airiness
of the former and the sheen of the lat
ter the color varying into a dozen
shades as the light falls on the goods
Y The drapery is something on the order
!, of the ancient peplum and the silk lies
e in folds graceful and light enough to
satisfy the most exacting coquette.
( A fine embroidery in gold and silver
\ edges a guipure insertion which out
= lines the bottom of the tunic and the
drapery of the corsage.
A new shade of terra Gotta is shown
in ball gown made of mousseline de
sole, the skirt caught up here and
there with punches of clematis of un-
certain colOr-'like old pastels which
are dying of solitude and yet smile at
the future" exclaimed an enthusia site
French woman who was studying it.
Over all is delicate, almost imper-
y. ceptible network of dead gold.
In contrast with the Greek costume
is perfect reproduction of a Louis
XVI toilette, in white tulle over white
} satin, with scattered silver spangles
, that seem like rays of light on snow
3 The waist has long, pointed, slender
. effect, as if made for one of the dain-
( ty marquieses who helped to make the
prescious lace, yelowed by time, forms
paniers over the hips and falling in the
back, makes double train over the
satin. The artist who designed the
costume has strewn velvet roses, in
natural colors, on the lace, and the
combination draws forth sighs of rap
ture from the women who surround
the glass cases.
Another costume in something the
same style is in alencon lace, with
rows of insertion of guipure; the
charm of this lies in the contrast of
the virgin white with the white shaded
with amber. Scattered loosely over
the whole dress are velvet poppies,
and in the back is long train of lotus
green velvet, expanding in ample folds,
like the mantle of fairy queen.
Among dresses more suitable for day
time, garden party costume in
white batiste. with shadings of rose,
is notable. The bolero is embrolder-
ed with pink flowers, and the wide belt
is in rose taffeta. The buttons covered
with white taffeta. which also trim the
skirt The front is ornamented with
, a lace stole, and the bolero closed over
it with a butterfly bow of rose taffeta
and black velvet A pink parasol and
hat complete a charming costume.
All the toilettes are distinguished by
imagination, exquisite taste, and re-
markable delicacy of execution. The
same qualities are shown in the exhib-
it of famous furrier of the Rue de la
Paix, who knows how to make the
stiffest and most rebellious skins con-
form to graceful outlines. He has
even made entire costumes, so light
and supple in effect that they seem to
be made of cloth. One robe, in mar
ten has bolero closed at the side