Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-12
PARIS FASHIONS
spec,.l corre.Dopdeacs OF rhe Star.

Special CorrespoudeDce of The Star.
PARIS, July .. 1909.
TOT many visitors to Paris have
IL ever set foot in the Place des
NJ Vosges. q curious square not far
Il from the Hotel de Vile. but those
who have entered 1t have found IL
interesting. In 1t the houses are fianked BY
arcades like those in an italian city. II
was here that the Decorative Arts Society
formerly. held It's annual exhibition and
had its museum. This year. however. be-
cause the Place des vosges was getting too
pIebeian even for the native Partisan. the
society transferred its treasures to the Pa
villon de Marsan. In the Louvre.
The show has been In progress for sew
eral weeks and has attracted much atten-
ton both from visitors and natives. 1t Is
just about to close with a magnificent ex-
hibition of laces embroideries and fans. A
well-known French politician, anxious to
revive the almost extinct industry of hand
made lace in the country. asked prominent
society women to come to his assistance,
and they responded to the call with an i'm
mense outpouring OF masterpieces or. lace
and embroidery. There is q collection Of
fans the like Of which has never before
been assembled under one roof.
Many Of the articles exhibited were also
given an additional interest by reason Of
their historical association. Such was the
point d Alencon robe worn by the Empress
Eugene at the coronation. This was
loaned to the exhibition by the Duchesse
de Mouchy. Another interesting souvenir
was the order book Of a famous tailor and
robemaker Of a century ago, containing Ma
poleon the Greats order for q long i'm
perial mantle in purple velvet to cost $4,000
francs. It was the Corsican's first corona
tion robe, and he wanted 1t to be made as
splendid as possible.
While was at the exhibition several mo-
toring parties came into the great hall to
have look at the treasures. Now I am
prepared to admit that there Is nothing
more difficult than the arrangement Of a
becoming headdress for motoring. Like the
now extinct bicycling costume Of a few
seasons ago, most of the devices worn by
those who motor are disfiguring even to
the fairest face and form. At last, how
ever, observe that the mAliners have sue
ceeded In evolving a head covering that Is
actually chic and decidedly becoming to
latest attempt, this positive success of the
moment.
First a cap Of any description is put on
the head, preferably one with rather wide
speak or brim. Over this a veil of pongee
silk of palest blue is fitted and sewed to a
piece Of mica and fall of white lace.
Then 1t Is tied around the head and throat.
The mica is far more convenient than
IL
does not leave an ugly red mark. as is
often the case when glasses are worn for q
long time. The affair requires about two
and a half yards Of silk. a piece of mica
that looks like the mask worn at fancy
ball and half yard Of fine white lace
lined with mousseline de sole. 1t Is also
advisable to have a good soft lace, as 1t
Is vastly more becoming, When the wearer
alights for luncheon or for the purpose OF
sightseeing the arrangement Is thrown
back, the lace Grapes the front Of the cap
and long ends Of silk are tide behind and
make the smartest Of frames for pretty
face.
The other night at q garden fete held
at the Austrian embassy an exquisitely
gowned Parisienne said to me: I'VE are
really getting too awfully English, don't
you know. Come now. aren't we?''
It is really true. and I did not deny 1t.
For the moment 1t seems to be the superla-
lively correct thing to be even a little more
English than are our cousins across the
channel themselves. This tendency is es-
pecialiy noticeable in one particular-time
was when our season" closed arbitrarily
be considered fashionable would have been
seen in Paris after the Grand Prix. Nova
days the beginning Of July finds almost
every one In Paris, and some of the most
pretentious entertainments of the year are
given then. The garden fete referred to
was an immensely successful affair. 1t
actually surpassed in brilliancy any similar
affair of the season.
In one corner of the vast garden the IA