The Washington herald., 1907-02-26

terror OF the mammoth emporium of s.
Kann. Sons & Co.-was experienced by
those who pinned their faith to blue sky
and sunshine yesterday, and were pres
ent at the fourteenth annual opening of
one of Washingtons largest department
stores.
The Busy Corner never presented a
more attractive scene than under its pres
ent scheme Of interior decoration. On
Saturday the usual winter display was on
view. In little more than twenty-four
hours a transformation was achieved that
for daintiness and charm will not be
easily eclipsed.
It was the custom formerly for mer-
chants to make a gradual Introduction of
spring finery, beginning with the first OF
January. after the holiday rush, TO dis
play the advance modes and styles pc
culiar to the summer. This system,
while it enhanced the beauty of the shop
picture from day to day. tended 10 d.
minish the glory Of "a genuine opening.
The success Of this years experiment
TO reserve the beauties Of the various de-
partments and place them on gala exhi-
opening day" was proved by the throngs
which. despite the discouraging side
walks. visited Kanns' from in the morn
ing until closing hour, 20 absorb the visi-
bic new fashions.
Kann'S an Authority.
Enlarging, improving, and inaugurating
stlu better facilities for pleasing the pur-
chasing public from year to year, Kann's
has become an authority and guide to
both the experienced and inexperienced
shopper Each department in the store,
from the cafe 20 the photograph gallery,
is an independent enterprise, and in yes
terday opening IL was difficult to give
the palm Of excellence 10 any one dis
tinguishing feature What WAS absO-
lutely refreshing. springiike. and inspir-
lug-the gowns. for instance, and the
creation" hats, and the innumerable
ilmy fancy blouses-probabIy appealed to
beauty-loving women more irresistibly
than other details Of the opening.
Day OF Surprises.
Il was q day Of novelties. surprises.
EXPLANATIONS Of appreciation. and the
sort OF occasion In which women reveI.
To behold something whicz Is bound 10
be transceudeutIy becoming 20 ones own
person puts q woman in q hopeful. and
therefore, an agreeable mood. Yesterdays
consensus Of opinion. as overheard in tie
millinery par,ors and the costume depart
ment was. Il think that would be per
fectly lovely for me-
Perfectly lovely" though 0sJensibly a
feminine superlstive Of approval. does not
describe adequately and in detail the
charm and distinction Of yesterdays eX-
hibit Of dear-to-the-hesrt furbelows. with
out which spring. and Easter. and sum-
mcr campaigns could not be.
Exquisite Garments.
Exquisite garments and models Of
French and American design are of them
selves delightful 70 behold when dis
played beneath the most advantageous
light and amid the fsIrest decorations of
tropical green's, aad placed against q
background Of thousands of yards OF
Southern laurel and smiIax, studded pro-
fuseIy with Annunciation lilies. and the
whole traced and interlaced with artistic
skill worthy Of an inaugural ball dec0ra-
tor.
Some one made the remark that she had
caught the spring fever after an hour
i'm Kanus yesterday. In the millinery
{
dreds OF marvellous hats on exhibition II
is a year when only an artist IS capable
Of effecting the rare combination of six
and eight varieties of flowers. velvet
lace, ribbon. and plumes all on one indi-
vidual head creation. The hemp braid
hats. the Jumbo braids, the Beghorns-
burnt and natuTal-the chips and maline
shirred skeleton hats the picture varie-
ties OF the Nap0le0niC period. are all in
evidence and all dstinctively and dis
tincty ravishing.
Season of Combinations.
The flowers and grains Of the field, the
vines Of the wall. and the dollhouse rari-
ties cluster without discrimination
Iagainst the straw hats of summer. Spider
daisies and American Beauty roses appar-
/ emily grow from one parent stem. The
| very up-to-date is the new Maise.' in rib
/ bon and ostrich plume shades 1t is a sea-
son of combinations. the single color hats.
such as the hello tints and old rose, being
/ out Of favor Not single brilliantly red
I hat in the opening-think of &c.
/ Black viii never be overcome COM
pletely as "a fashion in head-gear. One OF
\ the beautiful triumphs is an enormous
Iblacs chip with several dropping ostrich
]
Icent pink rose tucked beneath the wide,
rather suggestively poke-shaped brim, a
/ little to the left of the center. Six-inch
wide black velvet streamers caught to the
back brims are knotted together at fire.
leuent intervals and AT about a yard S
length "a second pink rose is attached to
/ this graceful velvet adjunct, which is sup
posed TO hold the dainty streamers in
place upon the wearer's bodice.
Ready-fO-wear Costumes.
In the charming ready-to-wear costumes
of silk. chiffon. net. and mousseiine. varia-
tons upon the bretelles and jumper modes
are in evidence. Also the French draped
bodice is "A feature of the display, the
sleeves being but a fluffy trifle peeping
below and between the bodice accessories
which extend well onto the outside form
Of the sleeve lining and produce greater
beauty than comfort The accordion
plaited skirt. even less fun than formerly
/ is a popular model and every variety OF
surplice and suspender is the primal motif
for blouse draping.
Separate bl0uses are still popular de-
spite the vogue OF costumes. and of these
the ecru net and lace waist is first favor
tie. Batiste muslin. and null show al
STYLES and dainty embroidery, and lace in
serts and half and three-quarter sleeves
prevail.
Empire FuIIneSs Apparent.
Among. the more ornate costumes, tbs
empire fullness is apparent, the skirt
gathered above the waist line and falling
to an excessive fullness about the feet
Waists to be worn with strictly tailored
gowns are shown to be of plain design
the cut, rather than the trimming. being
of chief Importance.
The courtesy with which visitors are
greeted and shown the various features
of the opening Is characteristic OF The
policy of the store whose object has beer
through the Nears of its Increasing sue.