The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-18

party given by Nine. do Fonte-
nclles in Paris. This lady Is
nearly related to the famous clcgantc Of
whom have so often spoken In these
articles as princess Vera" and she
has often been called present day
Nine. Recamicr. In many ways she
really does not resemble that historic
parsonage; for instance, she also I'M
derstands the art Of imposing her per-
sonal taste and ideas upon those around
her.
At her home there was recently given
a series of private conferences on the
subject OF tho growing unrest In the
world of art. Several we'll known paint
ers took part in these conferences. and
side by side with them were two OF the
best known dress designers In Paris.
At times the discussions were rather
heated the old school and the new school
found it difficult TO agree.
The hostess seemed strangely silent
at these conferences, which took place
in the large salon of the house in tho
Champs Elyuecs which she has just
left. Every one knew that she had rented
another apartment. this time in the
Avenue d'Airiin. AID a great deal OF
curiosity was aroused with regard To the
decorations, Nc. But the secret was
well kept and until Christmas eve none
of her friends had the least idea of what
was going on. IL WAS rumorcd that dec
orators from Vienna had been working
on the new salons, but no one actually
knew what to expect
avalled myself of a friendly invita-
ton to come early. When | arrived
the three salons. which opened into each
other. were almost empty. And / con-
TESS that was amazed at what I saw.
One OF the most cultured and modern
OF Parisionnes had taken counsel with
poor despised nature. The schemes of
subtle color had been borrowed from
dawn. noon and twilight
In each salon the general impression
given was thlt Of "A Fragonard MASTER
piece. The walls were done in trnder
greens and blues. 'rhe velvet carpets
were of Il faint ay-green shade. In
the furniture there were varied tones
of dull green, many shades Of brown.
from red gold to nut some deep blues
which suggested cloud reflections on n
calm lake. Some Of the satins on the
couchcs were Of that peculiar shade OF
gray green which one sa,cs in lichens
In each salon the general scheme OF
color was the same, hut tho lighting
was So clCVcrly ARRANGED that each
looked abe olutcly different. - one entered
first a softly lighted room which sug-
gestcd dawn in an Eastern country. The
lights themselves were concealed in
modern fashion. but the opal shades
were 80 placed that the impression was
perfect.
The second salon, much the largest OF
the three. was n blaze OF golden sun
light and the third room was dim and
mysterious as twilight in midsummer
il was an enchanting scene, but I'M
med!atey ! missed something. and then
realized that there were no flowers.
On all sides there were feathery ferns
and foliage plants, but not single
flower.
Nine. dc Fontenelles smiled when
looked at her and put the question:
where are tho flowers" Ghe smile
decpened as she replied: II have in
vited them And then ! began to I'M
derstand. This was Il return to the
artistic beliefs Of some OF the most IA
nous of the great French painters.
Pretty women were To be the flowers
which would glow against background
borrowed from nature.
muSl say that my hostess was Jus
titled in her experiment. ] have never
seen "a more brilliant sight than those
three salons presented one hour later;
certainly | have never seen so many
pretty women gathered together in one
house. The hostess had made the re-
quest that just for once eccentric gowns
and headdresscs should be set aside. She
pleaded for pastel tints and for dainty
combinations of fragile stuifs. and her
friends fell in with her ideas.
BY II o'clock the Fragonard salons
were peopled with human flowers
Boldis orchestra discoursed tangos and
waltzes in a quaint little musicians gal
lery which had been arranged In the
centre room. The whole thing was a
huge success. More than that. It was
an entertainment which set people talk
ing--and thinking.
People asked. which is the moro ar
tlstc idea, the futurist background
which demands certain, very individ-
ual style Of dress. or the natural back
ground, which makes all women look
like human flowers? The question was
asked many times that night; 1t will
continue TO be asked. For the answer
we must be content to walt.
Princess Vera was the centre OF at
traction at the reception. She was
Eowned In "A filmy robe composed o,
chiffon In several shades OF pastel pink
There was diamond trellis design or
the simple corsage and the sash. made
of rose du Barry velvet ribbon, was
confined by a splendid diamond buckle
The hostess was gowned entirely II
ivory white. Tho hem of the trailing
robe was embroidered in dull silver ant
on the crossovcr corsaSe there was 6
suggestion Of pale yellow and faln
green which recalled the heart Of q
waXcn lily. She had her hair dressed
very high on her head In the new STYLE
and at the back it was supported by q
very large. fiat diamond and opal comb
One of the prcttiest girls present wa.
tho young daughter OF the Comtcsse d,
Casteja. This charming girl looked al
though she had stepped out of Grcuz,
canvas Her robe, which was shor
and clinging, was composed of oyster
white India muslin and there was @
drapery OF white tule traced over will
crystal beads at one side. This draper,
was caught up at the back by n crysta
butterfly, and her shoes were made n