New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-03
ANIMAL DREoSMAKER.
She Fashions Clothes for Monkeys,
CameLs and Elephants.

..vs ,, cold Miss Frances Zebarth, head OF the
costume department at the Hippodrome' les
I'm inst what you sald-an animal dressmaker-
once ,,non a time when 1 worked for 5th-ave.
dressmaker used to fit fashionable women Later
I had charge of a department stores worKrooih-
Rut 7 find il much amusing to make elotnes
for elephants and monkeys and zebus. for ballet
girls and all the magnificent pageants and spec
tacles that are put on the Tippodrome stage than
1 did to fit smart women
I'm all I am modiste TO twelve elephants two
monkeys five zebus six camels and hundreds OF
ponies and horses It is great fun. At first was
afraid to tackle the elephants, they are such
colossal creatures, and they swayed and rocked
so aIarmingIy. And the zebus, the sacred COWS
of India although they such little, low things
they were terribly wild
1.-THE first time threw blanket over zebu
to fit it 10 his hump he kicked up wildly. tore
around the stables like possessed. rampaged
through the property room. demolishng properties
right and left and chased me, his poor tremohhs
little dressmaker, and his attendants. right up
the runway onto the stage N.Y. but was fright
ened out of my life!
.prhe csmels are mild, sweet tempered creatures
They don't mind me bit, although It's quite a
nice little matter to get their blankets to set
styIisbly over their two humps. You have to make
then, Ineel down to try their clothes. The
dromedaries too They have one hump. Like
the ca1nels, they very mild and gentle They
never show any affection. the elephants do.
"As for the horses. They so thoroughly
trained and so used to handling that they never
give me a minutes bother
.eTn fact I'd rather fit any animal in the outfit
than tackle the two monkeys that are going to
ride on the dogs backs in burlesque OF one OF the
equestrian numbers-they are such fdgety little
beasts and they keep up such excited chatter
and show their teeth and bite and scratch A
connie of attendants have to hold monkey when
I measure and mt It,
.~rogo the better natured of the two, has waist
measure of II inches and length of trouser leg
Of 10 tnches-rather a difference between MS
measurements and those of Tom and Jennie. our
two young leading elephants. Tom wears 72-
inch collar his syIphlike waist $50 inches
and his trousers leg measures 120 inches
I'm this great cakewalking stunt in which he
cakewaks with a real human ballet girl, Tom
will wear a mans full dress suit of the richest,
heaviest black broadcloth. It took no little con,
irving, In addition to the measuring cutting ana
for in order to- expedite Toms dressing and I'M
dressing everything had to be simplifed as much
nieces-the trousers, which fastens around the
waist like any pair of trousers and the stand
f 6e shirt Tit 'front.' CUFFS Wastcoat and Coat all Of
meIdh fastening alg nVisibIy down the back seam
the coat. The tails Of the coat hook together ana
co @Tressins Tom is work Of time. Two of the
keepers have to take hold of a hind leg and lift
the n ofher' o and putting forth all their streRgth
lift that in Next they gTasp r 0ne 5 5r n the coat
sleeve; then they slip in the other and then they
''Iast of all goes on the tall silk hat at, whif fh
fastens behind Toms ears and under his chin with
an elastic This hat made right in our work
rooms AS mems hats CO. it is about size number
70 After measuring Toms head we made a pat
tern Of heavy buckran and fitted it arefully. 1t
had not only to look well, you see-it had 10 stay
on through all Toms prancings and fancy pirouet-
ting as If it grew there. That accomplished, we
covered it, using the same material as mems SILK
hats are covered with.
Jennie Toms companion in misery, is going to
been making for her with its white trousers. red
coat braided with gold across the chest, red cape
trimmed with black aStrakhan falling off the LETT
shoulder and high pluned hat At her side hangs
q sword with which she fences with the major
domo taking 1t from her scabbaTd with her trunk
and replacing it by the same means when her
bout is finished
Of Tennie's costume and 1t is all OF the best.
Jennie would wear out lightweight. fimsy goods
40 fit the elephants I generally stand on a
stepIadder Both Tom and Jennie love to be
fitted conceivng It to be in the nature Of petting
Jennie in particular is sweet and affectionate
siapping her trunk around and patting me caress-
ingIY all the time I fitting her.
"Every time the performance is changed new
In one of the numbers in which the elephants
wore blankets of gold cloth, brocaded satin or