The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-03

l Bl1falNGEAA Deie ItlhiAAhe
 recently from New York de- , 7 elared that the women of the ) stage were never more beautifully and richly costumed than some of the plays now being presented for metropolitan favor.
 Society looks to the stage for fashions, and the beautiful stage favorites have grown accustomed to the adage that im- itation Is the sincerest fattery. Certainly ] it is we have had the Mrs Potter coif- feure. the Mary Mannering curl 6he Della Fox once upon a time), the Du- barry bow is still with us. and so it goes.
 Mrs. Patrick Campbell is now the rage, and there is lovely Virginia Harmed, whose costumes have inspired many columns in the papers. It Is too true that the subject of clothes is most interest ing
 She has other admirable qualities. such as clothes and money" is remarked of the heroine in one of the Smart Sets stories
 Here is a description of the gowns worn by Virginia Harmed in her new play. "Iris":
 From the opening scene. in which the audience is treated to a sumptuous display of decollstte dinner gowns. to rns closing act, when the scorned heroine | trails her black robe through the door which shuts her out into the night, it Is the costumes which express much of the authors intent Miss Harmed wears her gowns well and her lissome figure finds in their materials and modes expression for varying emotions.
 The dinner gown in which the audience first sees her is the one in which Iris plights her troth and breaks faith with the rich Maldonado and plans the in- | trique with her poor lover. Laurence 1 Trenwith. It is little wonder that the heart of man falls before the fascinating vision in the rich point desprit robe, law ishly garnitured with silver spangled em- broidery and delicately touched with pink roses. A strong note appears in the scarf of fimsy black lace which is threaded 1 through the bodice empire fashion and which ends in a generous chou in the middle of the back. A broad white satin girdle completes the charming effect
 As a background for the heroine's cos tune are the robes of the dinner party guests Among them is a cold steel span gled net over gray satin. with which is worn a knotted black ribbon sash; a white lace over yellow taffeta, from which in the back falls a sash of yellow ribbon, and a close, clinging robe of green.
 In the next act, the breakfast room of an Italian villa overlooking the beautiful lake of Como, is the setting for airy draperies and exquisite effects. The deep green silk mousseline in which Hilda Spong of Fanny Sylvain laments to Croker Harrington Iris compromising re- lations with Trenwith is all that charm ing summery robe can be. Deep incrus- tations of ecru lace form a biIlowy flounce-like effect at the hem, and mar row, straight scarfs, also of ecru lace, knot at throat and elbows and fall in long, straight ends. The hat worn with the dress is of ecru straw, heavily trimmed with tender-hued roses. , The white crepe de chine gown worn by Iris when she enters is decorated with a lavish abandon of embroidery and lace and ably expresses in every fold and line her devotion to the luxurious. Be. tween this sumptuous robe and the de
 
 her lost fortune and displays a flickering emotion of womanliness there is sharp contrast. The latter is of brown yelling over self-colored satin. The decorations are simple, self-toned embroidery and silk trappings the latter relieved by French knots of lighter shade. With it are worn demure white turnover collar and cuffs and a pale blue string tie In the closing scene of the act, when she starts for the "cheap pension," boa and hat, both of brown maline of the same tone as the dress, make bewitch- ing setting for the pale. sad face.
 In this act, Fanny Sylvain. the solicit ous friend. appears in an elaborate mat ronly robe of black net, dotted and spangled and inset with medallions and insertions of chantilly lace. It Is worn over white taffeta. The cherry colored silk scarf draping the left side of the low nevked bodice and falling over the left shoulder somewhat relieves the color less tension. Another gleam of color is l contributed by the smart cardinal cloak and hat in which Louise Drew as the | portionless niece, Aurea Wise fits upon l the stage and discusses business ven- lures, unwittingly tempting the heroine into the step which presages her doom. The girls gown is if white broadcloth.
 It is a stunning morning robe in which Iris is discovered in London fiat and in which she parries the honorable pro- posals of Maldonado The softest, cream fest lace flows over tinted pink silk, which Is revealed in a brighter shade, through the filmy white yelling of the front. Garlands of tiny pink roses witt pendant green foliage outline the necl and front of the gown. A diamond cont and gem laden fingers contribute to thu picture of luxury.
 'Lovelier than ever, but are you fl mourning?" is Trenwith's outburst in thu last act, when Iris in her sable gowl stands before him. Mot mourning onl, black It was my fancy to see you II this" is her reply. For penitential rob' in which to win the pardon of a returned lover nothing could have been better cal