Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-11
Baron Is Creator
of Artistic Gowns
Tragedy Of Beautiful Countess,
His Fioncce, Leads Him to
aesthetic Career.
Especial to The rImes.D,sn.t.b,

Especial to The Times Dispatch.1
NEW YORK, July 1O.-Baron Philxus
de Planta. OF Paris. known through
out the capitals of Europe as an artist
Of unusual ability and a creator Of
womens' fashions, has come to New
York to originate beautiful garments
and millinery for American society
women. The baron has visited this
country before. Some time ago he was
honorabiy released from the French
army, having been injured by fall
from his horse while in the sery,ce
He has lert the war-ridden country IN
pursue his artistic endeavors for a
while. He believes that Americas eff
iorts In trying to wrest the FREEDOM
nance OF Paris as the worlds fashion
center Will be partly crowned with
success. at least until after the close
or the present war. In the meantime
the naron, who speaks almost perfect
English, has secured fashionable
STUDIO and within short time will
go 10 Newport to spend portion of
me summer season. And, incidentally,
there is deeply romantic story con-
neeted with the baron and his work.
me baron inherits his artistic genius
through several generations. lie is the
scion or an old. aristocratic family
which came originally from Milan a
Few hundred years ago, settled in the
Tyrol and later in France The family
has produced number of artistic gen
fuses, the work OF whom is to be found
In numerous parts of Europe. The
baron Is thirty-four years of age, un
married, and most Of his life has been
spent in the ARTISTIC circles of Paris.
brussels and Vienna. Originally intend
ing 70 devote his life to high art. purely
TOT arts sake. his admiration for the
weaker sex Inspired him. more or less
by accident, 70 switch from his orig
mai plan and become specialist In
women's fashion art for the smart peo-
pie Of Paris. crowned heads OF the
various capitals. and American women
visiting Europe. HIS stunning mode
creations and delineation Of the smart
Parisienne in his paintings and pen and
Ink sketches soon won him recognition.
Strange TO say. this all came about
through one OF the saddest. most start
ling Of tragedies. Some years ago
there was a noted countess. whose rare
beauty was the talk of various parts OF
Europe, especially In Ostend. where she
was summering. Baron de Planta. who
was quite young at the time, fell des-
perately In love with her. Beneath the
moons romantic rays on the dim. then
peaceful beach at that famous resort,
he proposed to her one night.
PHILIPPE" she replied suddenly
seized with brilliant idea, you are
an artist and you say you love mo-
Design for me a wonderful gown for
fvonne's Cher cousin's) fetc. next Sun
day week. Let II express oil tho devo-
tion you have for me. wish to be the
most stunningly dressed woman there;
And II 1t prove success ~
will" !, .ot
Give you my answer when
with YOU" she interrupted uahce
The baron set about his taY :. ~
burning desire to produce an Hnh
piece. The design OF the As,ei
Ing to be sure. yet noG gown "a
pleased the countess. immodest
headdress likewise 49, me unique
When her modistH uemsn,eu ner