The Cairo bulletin., 1907-05-29
DEC0YS or FASHION.
METHODS or THE FASHIONABLE
PARIS DRESsMAiSERs.
Duties and Earnings OF Manncquins
and Saleswonen---The Master
Stroke--Millions in the Trade
With u Zig Profit.


Stroke--MilIions in the Trade
With a Zig Profit.
Fashionable dressmaking means
a business OF S30.000,000 year IN
Paris The receipts OF one house
mount UP 70 about $l,200,000. The
profts are about 20 per cent.
These figures are given By Q
| French publication which has 10
Gently described the elaborate OH
ganization Of the great malsons az
modes and the lavish expenditures
with which they are conducted.
Rentals are paid ranging from 500
| 600 a year. and the show ana sales
rooms are luNuriously furnished,
The manager OF such an establish
ment must be at once an artist In MS
line and an organizer OF consummalo
tact and vigor. He has not only a
large stan 10 manage, but capri
cious one, and then there are the
customers.
Sometimes, when sale is ii
doubt, 1t Is up TO him TO give whist
they call the master stroke. ne WI
burst into the room whore a mode!
is on exhibition.
But he exclaims, "you win
lengthen this waist for NADINE
oh, don't know about this
dress" falters the customer
Have no fear, madame, says thJ
artist. II am TOO proud 81 nay ais
to let you take it except as a perfect
adaptation to your genre youf
style"
The customer is hrilled ana tho
sale is made.
The sample costumes are 81
known by fancy names. The artist
who makes the first sketch IL water
colors generally gives expression to
his ideas. in a word he will call iE'
Carmen, the Victoria, the Alexandra,
the Huntress, the Vintage Dress
anything that occurs TO him to con
Yey and idea Of the style
The name Is often an attraction.
to tie buyer and besides it has It's
business use. When a cnliectioA
OF silks ana Innings and braids and
buttons is turned over 20 u cutter
with Instructions to prepare Car
men according TO certain measure
ments. he knows exactly what Is
wanted
There Is nothing easy about tho
post OF a manneqain or model
Each one has twelve dresses made 70
fit her, In the busy season. o.
when called upon. she is expected 70 |
show each three times a day. She |
often has to Go 50, and these thiFty
six changes 81 costume, coupled with |
the standing end posing tor an in
sgection, inyni such expenditure |
Of muscular ebort that only strong
healthy girie can hold the places.
Sometimes. when customers linger |
over their choice and the girls arc
Kept in statuesque positions for al
hour at time. they faint under tha
ordeal When they do 50. II Is very |
much against them Nothing an |
.easant should ever happen at a
dressmaker's.
For this trying work the models
receive from SEQ to $50 month, lie
pending Oh their attractiveness and 4
he standing OF the house Tho /
ialeswonen are much better paii. /
rheir salaries run from see to S240 7
/ month and they generally get q
commission Of from 8 TO 3 per cent
One case Is quoted where a sales
woman in a great house. made s15- I
700 a year. IT, saleswoman hn% I
ever, takes the same risk as the
house itself. Her commission is m. I
paid when the sale is made. but
when the bill is paid, and It Is ols
allowed when the price secured ;of
he dress exceeds a certaia minimum I
Jet upon each model
Besides these a number OF women /
ire employed in tae salceroous as (
lressers. They ger about Sa3 a
Month
over and above The reguisr en- \
lloyees many houses have on th-!r 1
,tah certain women OF some socia' 4
position but limited means, These
IRE called the lancelses They draw
10 salaries. but set their Ore. s,7
.rea or at reduced rate as an adser-
isement for the establishments, 4
whose praises they are expected 70
sing when they get the chance.
The winter models are shown IN \
Iu.y and The summer onrs 80 II
January These are the months NJ
greatest sales and 10 takes al the n
rest Of the year 90 deliver the goods II
ordered at these periods.
EaerrfpRsa 4ravr.rr.