The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-19
HER GOWN GLUED TO HER
Spanish Dancers Glycerine Bath BE.
fore She Dons CIinging Costume.

,: Paris Letter.
Otero, the Spanish dancer, is responsible
for 1.-The Revelation gown
To wear it properly listen to the in
structions of La Belle Otero ~
THE dressmaker's responsibility is
about ne-half,'' she said, arching her
brows refectively. The other half de-
ponds upon the preparation of the body.
An la, a., this costume is not for the
common people; not for those who work
and who must dress in a hurry.
ITO enter into this costume said
Otero, erect and emphatic, ''the body
must be anointed. It must be gently,
thoroughly moistened with preparation
of glycerne mixed with rose water. All,
Ia, la, you see it is not easy. just
glue my gown to me with glycerine.
Suffer? Some. One must suffer to be
beautiful.
"The proportions must be such that
the soft sickness of the glycerne is
retainedbWhte it is slightly adulterated
with oil Of roses. This must be rubbed
into the skin from head to foot. 1t has,
|let me say, a double advantage, for not
only does it make the clothes fit, but it
softens the skim. All, la, Ia! did not
say my invention was for the aristocrats ?
Into this mixture of glycerine and rose
water add just touch of patchouli or
some other perfume, SO that the incense
d
you may move. 50
For fifteen minutes, at the very least,
the skin is rubbed gently, gently till
everywhere it glistens and shines. Pints
I of the mixture are distributed over the
body carefully and evenly.
81. Now, then you are ready
Nine. Otero was Interrupted by, cues
tion.f Does one dry the body?" she was
asked.
SWEET, glistening, moist, the BODY is
ready to receive the first article of cloth
ing It should consist of feshings of the
finest silk. These cling tight, tight tight
to. the sticky moisture. pair Of suede
stays without bones should be the only
other bit of apparel, or better still, a
single tight band about the waist.
All, la, la, this fashion is for the per-
feet figure The Winged Victory in our
Louvre inspired me.
5' Well, then, through the silk heshings
you see cleaning the skin, to which they
stick tight like a plaster.
| Oyer. this plaster, moist and sticky
exquisitely perfumed and soft as satin
the gown all in one is moulded
Not sign OF bulk appears, even in the
heaviest of cloth. The dressmaker who is
skilful has in fitting the gown passed her
hand over the width, for instance that
forms the back, and, la, Ia, it sticks with
out crease, without wrinkle It is nc
longer. a figure of speech to say AS tight
as your skin. 80
La Belle otero's carmine lips parted in
a triumphant smile above her white teeth
II one has grace at last it is not hid
den! II one has curves at last they are
not concealed! The glove that fits the
hand does not more perfectly reveal its
shape than the gown that is moulded to a
glycerin dipped igure!''
Nine. Otero was asked how she felt
The only difference in her bearing was
perhaps that she held herself more erect
81 feel she answered, 'tslippery In.
side. feel, indeed, as an eel may feel
but I don't mind the discomfort. The
cloth Of which my gown is made is heavy
SO that the glycerin may not soak through
it. It is unlined, of course, and is
stretched to- my figure. The secret Of
stretching the material belongs to the art
of the perfect dressmaker. No ordinary
dressmaker could do 1t.
The color must be carefully consid-
cred in case a drop of moisture should
penetrate. Tan is safe; white would be
perilous; black might attempted The
ma terial is as 1t were stuck on. and II
there are any fastenings they are tnvisi-
BILE hooks. 81
It IL quite true that the Revelation