Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-04
CLOTHES OF LEATHER
Gowns and Waistcoats Now
Made of This Material.
PREPARED BY A NEW PROCESS

Some Features of the Exhibit of tho
First Annual Shoe and Leather
Fair CaIfskin Now Manufactured
Into Shoes of Dainty CoIors-A New
Patent Leather-ArtifciaI Rubber.
And some in leather gowns is the
way the old nursery rhyme should read
If it is to be brought down to date.
A visit to the first annual shoe and
leather fair held in Chicago recently
proved that, for one of the features OF
! the exhibit was the leather which is
being used for gowns and waistcoats
in place of velvet.
The process by which the leather is
prepared is new one, the product
having been made but n few weeks,
says the Chicago Evening Post. 1t has
the appearance of panne velvet and is
very soft. 1t is said to be superior to
velvet in wearing qualities. proving the
adage that there is nothing like
leather
In addition it can be washed with
soap and water when it is soiled. The
patterns on the leather are brought
out by cutting, and it can be used with
good effect for pillows, banners and
other decorative purposes.
Another feature of the fair was an
exhibit of shoes made of calf in
chrome colors. Until recently all shoes
made in the dainty colors, so much
worn now, were of kid. But by new
process calfskin can be used. 1t is
more durable and can he washed, as
kid shoes cannot he.
The colored shoes will continue in
vogue during the winter. There are a
number of two shades, which, having
the sanction of Paris upon them,
should prove popular. Next to white
shoes, which will reign supreme, an
''oyster gray is said to be destined tc
be the favorite. 1t is almost pearl
gray and will be popular for dancing
shoes.
A striking shade Is known as Japan
csc orange, being n variation of the
usual orange shade. A pair of low
shoes in this color. with tiny straps
crossing the instep and buttoning with
silver buttons, are striking enough to
attract special attention. The coral
and lavender shades continue to be
fashionable.
The pump will be the approved form
of shoe, and spats will he worn with
them when necessary. Many of tie
shoes shown were beaded deliberately.
An exquisite pair of party shoes OF |
pale lavender in the chrome colored |
calf were embroidered with tiny anne |
thysts In an elaborate pattern. Hand |
painted shoes are to be worn by those |
who can afford them, tiny rosebuds on |
a white background being shown as es- |
pecially tasteful
Welcome news to those whose pride |
has made their feet suffer as they wore |
their patent feathers will be the an |
nouncement of new leather known as |
"demipatent." 1t looks a great deal |
like patent leather, but its manufactur- |
ers say that it has none of the unagree
able characteristics of the patent |
leather-that is to say. il does not |
draw" the feet and it does not crack |
or peel.
Automobile makers will be interested |
in the claims of one of the exhibitors |
that he has made an artificial rubber |
which cannot be distinguished from |
the genuine rubber except in its price. |
The demand for rubber has become so |
great since the days of unnumbered |
tires that the supply cannot be equal |
to it.
The secret OF the artificial rubber is |
being guarded carefully. its Inventor |