Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-11-11
DESIGNER OF THE FASHIONS


M. Paul Poiret, interior decorator,
maker Of rare perfumes. ballet costum-
er and originator of the present styles
in women's gowns and figures, was at
home to reporters recently, at the Pla-
"a. M. Poiret had refused to be inter-
viewed on Saturday, had submitted on
Sunday and hidden himself on Mon
day. But last Tuesday he was all ready
down to a pair Of brand-new American
shoes topped with white spats.
The stage was set with Poiret
screen in red and purple roses, and at
one side was a purple. red and green
rug with dozens Of gold, green and rose
cushions.
The ladies in M. Poiret's designs
never sit down. They always recline
gracefully on cushions and he has
brought 100 cushions with him as well
as the 100 gowns which Nine. Poiret
will wear There were gold chairs,
however, for NJ. Poirets visitors. Also
decanters of wines, baskets Of fruit,
trays of cigarettes and boxes Of choco--
lates. When M. Poiret does get ready
to be interviewed he is quite prepared.
81 came to America for a vacation,
not to be shown off in anybody's shop
window" the great couturier, who is
rather a modest and gentle person, de-
clared when he appeared after an
hours delay. Il wanted to see for my
self whether American women under
stand my styles and how they wear
them.
II find American women very smart
and-ah-well constructed. The Amer
lean woman could wear any style she
chooses. And she does choose. l am
reported to say that American women
should be bolder. But to the contrary.
The women see on your Fifth avenue
even sacrifice almost too much to fash
ion and originality"
The originator of the tight skirt was
asked If he considered slit skirts i'm
moral.
81 don't bother with immortality" he
replied, heatedly. Il follow only in my
designing the greatest simplicity. l
have no use for dresses all trimmed up
with penwipers and little punches Of
things. Simple lines show the natural
beauty of the figure. But this plain
gown must have one touch to turn 1t
into a costume. Behold"
Enter Nine. Poiret, slender and sim
uous, her dark complexion guiltless of
makeup. She wore a one-piece robe,
almost a slip, Of soft brocaded satin Of
deep cream color. 1t had a round
neck, kimono sleeves and was very
long and very narrow about her feet.
The touch was a pearl. half an inch in
diameter, which was suspended round
her neck on a green cord which ended
at her breast in a green silk tassel.
She wore green slippers Of the same
shade and a turban of the gown mate
rial which almost concealed her hair.
mo corset need be worn with such
a gown" continued M. Poiret as ma
dame retired to recline upon the cush-
ions. "A woman should not wear cor
sets unless she is fat. and American
women do not look fat.
will the next mode require cor
sets?"
Il do not know what the next mode
will be, for mode is not theory but
feeling. Modes originate in Paris be-
cause the French are Of all nations the
most sensitive. We wear Oriental cos
tunes now because we are thinking of
the war in the east.
Such ways Of evolving our styles
are not practical. But La Mode Is not
interested in the practical. Ten years
ago when 1 invented the slit skirt the
women declared it was not practical.
Before I left Paris l had a parade of
mannequins in the old full skirts and
they declared they could not walk. If
the style should return they would find
they could.
Yes, I always design the hats to go
with my gowns for one can not trust
the milliner to consider the gown. But
I never use feathers. Why? Because
no milliner can make a hat without
them.
Should the hat and dress match?
The essence Of smartness is to have
them match or form an effective con-
trast. But only two colors are most
sufficient"
How should woman choose the
colors Of her gown" inquired a man
reporter.
"She should choose it in the morning,
as you do your necktie-to match her
soul. She should consider, too, the
temperature and the place where she
is going. But mostly her own feelings,
for there are gowns that weep, gowns
that are full of mystery and gowns
that sing for JOY.
But she should not wear the Poiret
x,our ,,ploso n haaomes herr