Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-13
t ASHTON EXPOSITION
DEMONSTRATIONS IN CORRECT
DRESS AT MASONIC TEMPLE

The fashion exposition at the Masonic
Temple attracted interested audiences at
both Its sessions today. Miss Elizabeth A.
c. White, president of the Dressmakers'
Protective Association of America lectured
at ii o'clock on the value and utilization OF
various materials and the application Of
dress accessories, and at the meeting this
afternoon she is demonstrating on living
models how a bride should dress. both for
the ceremony and travelling. and how her
attendants should be gowned.
About a hundred women arrived at the
hall last night an hour or more before the
time set for the demonstration. That the
majority Of them were dressmakers was
evidenced by the thoroughness with which
they Inspected the large and elegant gown
display. Many took notes and one very
earnest person sat platform and
sketched the frilly design on an imported
When Miss White, wearing cream lace
and cluster OF white blossoms IN her
black hair. appeared on the stage. she re-
ceived a round of applause. She talked in
formally and with a frankness that SO an.
pealed to her hearers that after the lecture
was over the edge OF the platform was
questions.
The four women who had been selected
IN the morning from among a dozen appli-
cants served models They represented
every type, from the slender, girlish figure
to the unrestrained corpulence OF old age.
Each was fitted with a corset after a
method which Miss White declared not
only brought out the lines and curves OF
the forme to advantage, but made woman
the master Of the situation.
Miss Whites Admonition.
TOO many women let the corset master
them" she announced. That is wrong.
You must have health. freedom Of moves
ment. comfort. If you are a large woman
you cannot, of course, wear a small corr
set, but you can put your flesh where it
belongs and have a correct and graceful
outline. To attain this you must master
your corset"
The very fat model beamed with good
natured smile while the lecturer eXpatiated
on her loss of outline, and accepted with
complacence the applause that greeted her
transformation when the demonstration
was over. While another stout woman
was being fitted. an anxious voice from the
audience inquired the models weight
She says she weighs 10 pounds. an
swered Miss White-then with airy toss
of her head she continued:
II weigh 203
This confession brought a buzz OF sur-
prise.
yes" explained Miss White, 4 am q
very large woman, but / don't show for It,
because l wear my flesh where 1t be-
longs"
In addition to- the corset fitting the lee
turer gave instructions for the benefit Of
fat women who want to decrease their
weight, and when the dozen or so women
hockeo around her at the close of the ses-
sion she told them how to vanqNish that
bugbear of middle age, the double chin.
Somebody asked II collars were noe
mainly responsible for this awful affiiction.
We'll, L will speak only for myself" an.
swered Miss White frankly, but with o.
proper respect for the collar trade, Il ex-
pect to live without collar for the rest
Of my life Collars are desirable for those
who like them, but L prefer a good neck.
When 1 wore collars l had only head.
Now have a neck-and IL you want to have
a good one also, do this'-and she extended
her chin and slowly turned her head.
Tomorrow demonstration will consist IN
addition to corset fitting, of q show of gowns
suitable for automobiling, yachting, noun
tain climbing, etc. The morning session
will close the convention.