New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-10

Paris is the creator of fashions and America is
her most devoted disciple Time was, some fifteen
years ago when it was said and truly, that
American fashions just year behind
those of Paris. To-day this is longer the
case. Thanks TO five-day steamships and the
perspicacity of the New York merchants. the
American women have spread before them in the
most sumptuous and dazzling way the latest
and best of the French fashions.
Up to the middle of September the American
woman in Paris inspects in the splendid salons
so admirably suited to their display all the
latest and newest models there created. Then
she takes fast steamer for home, only to find
that the stores here are filled with the identical
articles and garments that she found be-
witching in their foreign environment
Paris creates styles for the entire world of
civilized womanhood. The French dressmaker
and milIiner are first of all, artistic 1t is their
birthright. Their environment is such that they
breathe in the artistic atmosphere from their
earliest moments. The commercial spirit, to be
sure, they have, but in most cases it is sub
servient TO the artistic temperament 1t is for
this reason that they hold undisputed sway in
the realm of fashion, for fashions to be really
successful must contain more or less of the ar
tistic quality. The true definition of artistic as
applied to dress is the combination of the useful
with the beautiful.
It is the province of the American merchant
and manufacturer to so select and adapt the
latest Paris fashion ideas that they may be ap-
propriate to the customs and social usages of
this country and that this is most admirably
done no one who is thoroughly conversant with
the dominating fashion ideas can gainsay.
We may in this country modify the Partisan
fashions to the requirements of the greater num-
Der Of American women. but the connoisseur re
not forever, look to Paris as the veritabe source
OF fashion information.
The styles that the American women like and
accept have undoubtedly a certain influence
upon the French creators of fashions. With his
proverbial courtesy the Frenchman will tell
you that this that is the American style. and
with a modesty that is truly marvellous he
makes no claim to having originated that style
Yet the true student of fashions knows that in
nine cases out of ten it was Paris which gave
birth To the idea For example there is the jupe
trotteuse, our own American walking skirt. We
have made it our own simply because it was
suited TO the requirements and daily habits of
the average woman in this country. for the
first model was shown in Paris ten years
ago When a month later this French model
in tan colored corduroy shown here to a
farseeing American student of fashions, her ex-
clamation was: "Of all your models, that walk
ing costume is the which the American
women win most like. You have imported
suit that will revolutonize the styles in this
country" And so it proved. Thus one might
go through the entire category of so-called
American styles, only to find that the idea Origi-
mated in Paris.
The true success of any fashion in this coun-
try is the test of whether ii meets the needs and
not Of the -Four Hundred, but Of
the average woman; for popular opinion to the
contrary the American woman is a farsghted
and economical being, and she has no intention
Of purchasing garments for high days and hOli-
davs. She wants to present the best possible
anpearance wherever she goes. and ii is for this
reason that she 50 much favors the tailored suit
for street wear.
The New York merchant early realized that
he could gain strong hold over ms most ex-
,cting clientele by putting within their reach