Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-01

PARIS. February %, 1911.
- TIR. mystery excitement and Cos |
sip are the four human qualities
that charge the atmosphere this |
~ week in this town. Twice year |
Paris is the center of an octo- |
puslike commercial world that deals with |
dress.
The woman who idly asks what there |
Is in fashion is in ignorance OF the grip
ping tentacleS 1t sends out through the
world 1t manifests itself in more ways
than she has dreamed She considers
the introduction Of new style as
puerile matter the crowning folly of the
frivolous. the pastime of 4 social world
that needs to be amused.
II she were here for this week only.
her imaginary attitude would be changed
for lifetime. Not only would her view
point be changed. but respect for the
tremendous game in which new frock
Is a pawn would be born and nouriShed
So many women have undergone this
mental transformation when they have
been allowed to glimpse behind the scenes
here that one speaks from experience
and not theory. Those who laughed have
begun to study, and those who sneered
have learned to respect. Their ignorance
has turned to interest then to excite
ment and has been followed by enthusi-
assn and apprehension. Ever after they
have treated the launching of a new
frock and the game OF fashion making
as one OF the powerful factors in the
world
= x
Paris takes fashion seriously as she
takes art and literature and the beauty
OF women. She never sneers at a part
of her countrys machinery that brings
her millions of francs year and that
has produced land OF women of rare
qualities. Dress to Paris is a fine art in
which she succeeds any day better than
the rest of the world because she does
not treat 1t fppantIy, and while its
creators gain from it vast commercial
power, they look on it with respect and
sincere desire to serve 1t loyalty and that
is all they have to give.
II is this that makes the fixed gulf be-
tween the dressmakers of Paris and those
Of America
We approach it only from CONNER
respect because of the service which they
render womankind through it.
They surround themselves. these French
designers, with the atmosphere of grand
eur. and there is no ready approach to
their presence. They also hold them
selves aloof from the crowd. They are
personalities and they do not bend the
knee to king or commoner
The American who studies them and
who sees the effect that this isolation and
dignity gives them realizes at last their
power and the reason for their prestige.
1t is no more possible to talk to Worth
or Mile. Callot or Mime. Paquin. for the
mere asking than il would be to have a
pleasant chat with a cabinet minister.
For the next two weeks it is not pos
sible even to buy gown in any one of
the first-class establishments in Paris
unless one is so well presented that the
premiere vendeuse recognizes the intro
duction.
II you had millions Of dollars and were
unknown TO Mile. Camille at the house of
Cabot, or Nine. Claire at the house of
Paquin. or Mile. Gerrnaine of the house
OF Poiret, you could not even see new
gown.
After these two weeks. yes. YOU are ad-
nitted but II you do not know the name
VI "A vendeuse and cannot ask for her
personally at the door, which is strictly
guarded. your chances are slim of being
allowed to buy what is very new.
The city is full Of American buyers
They crowd the hotels ana restaurants