The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-12
MADAME BAKER
Founder of the National DressmAkers' Association

Mime. Bakers costume displays at
 her shop became noted. One day q firm engaged In the manufacture or lining braids and dressmakers sup- piles of all kinds called on her and ask
 ed her If for consideration she would
 permit their customers--special ones whom they would choose and send to visit her place and inspect the iri- ported costumes. Mime. Baker agreed
 The first year 100 craftswomen, both from within and outside of ChtcAgo. viewed the beautiful gowns and obtain-
 ed useful suggestions from them. The
 second year there were 1000, and after l that Mime. Baker could not accomnio- l date them in her parlors. but herself
 went to the office of the manufactur-
 Ing firm and displayed her wares. Of
 course this was done by the firm to ad- vertise and sell their American made l Things and other goods in opposition | to those imported from Paris. Hut the schesae occupied much of Mme. Bakers
 time. and finally one day her husband sai1:
 awhy don't you start an orsaniza- ton for dressmakersr'
 Sa the present National Drcssmnk- ers' Association. with it's s,000 members from all parts of the country, it's annual meetings and competitive display of original designs, its lessons in cutting and fitting--above all. its fostering of strong. feeling of sisterhood annonk Ipersons engaged in one of the hardest working trades known to wonnankind I took it's rise in the brain of man. Mime. Baker Is president of the As socis ton. Her headquarters are now Fin New York, where she also publishes Al parfodicaf for dressmakers,whic she started some years ago. Her husband lis it's business manager.
 Niue Baker Cays that some Ameri- can designers of costumes are az good tistfc talent in our country. and that not ioniy In the great cities. for the gown which obtained the $1,ooo prize at the recent convention was designed at wilkesbarre by one of just the class of costumers the Association was form ed to aid. the dresmalSers of the smaller cities and towns. those with no leisure
 and little opportunity to get away rom l the ciick-ciick of their machines. Nearest and dearest to the heart of | it's founder Is this Association. Just now she thinks some resourceful cos 1 tumsr should design successful dress | for business women. whose numbers are I increasing so rapidly She pronounces against the wearing of ostrich piuines, | frills, furbelows and party rigs In gem eral to and from one's daily office and | SHOp QuttS8s AFtG bt'titNS" 'N'~~---'
 dress. she considers. should be neat and ! trin,-abuve all. convenient, but en- ltirely uf.obtrusive. like the costumes lthe most fashionable millionaire ladies of New York society wear upon the
 street Women worth millions can give
 a valuable lesson to the working girl
 in the matter of quiet dressing foi
 the strecg and business.
 | Another mistake Mime. Baker nnds some American women make Is to ride fin street cars arrayed in costumes thai
 should be worn only by carriage women Dress of any kind calculated to at tract attention should be hidden from | the eye of the street public. She hopes
 all women will learn to observe this | general rule.
 Mme. Baker deplores. too. the dismal terribly gloomy black. mourning in
 which many women shroud themselves It suggests death and the grave wher- ever It's wearer appears Fortunately | fashion now permits much white and gray to be worn with mourning dress ! A National school of dressmaking is | one of Mime. Bakers hopes and aims It will be a school where through years of patient. most careful work and effort American would-be costum. i CTS may learn their trade in the only
 way that will ever enable them to com pete with those of Paris.
 Lucy May Irwin.