Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1915-10-06
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
AMONG SILK MANU-
FACTURERS BETTER
CONTINUED from Page One)


touches our industry in two vital
spots; dyestuffs and fashions.
The critical position of the silk
trade at the present time is due to
the shortage of dyestuffs may not be
realized by many Of our silk manu-
facturers. So much publicity has been
given to the fact that American in
genuity will soon supply the aniline
colors which have been coming from
Germany that the time needed to &C
complish this has been lost sight of.
There is no question but that Ameri-
can chemists will eventually accom-
plish the desired results.
In the realm of fashion is to be
found the other vital point of the
wars contact with the American silk
industry. 1t was at first thought that
the great fashion establishments of
Paris would hardly survive the storm
and stress of the world war, but the
unexpected has happened and French
creators are filling their ateliers with,
If anything, more beautiful produc-
tions than ever.
Fashions, far from languishing and
becoming sombre because of the war,
exhibit a florescence and beauty that
equal, if indeed they do not surpass
the imaginative efforts of times of
peace. American buyers on their US
ual summer trips to Paris found lead
ing dressmakers showing further Ella
borations of the short full skirt and
the narrow waist, while suggestions
of bizarre Russian types were much
in evidence. The so-called "styles of
our grandmothers" are still in vogue
and are shown in a number of picture
sque notifications.
1t was noticeable at the Paris open
ings that silk fabrics were more in
evidence than woolens and cottons,-a
condition that has come about from
the great wooden mills in the north of
France being in territory occupied by
the Germans; while the silk mills,
which are located in the southeast of
France, are still in operation. All of
the indications point toward stripes
of all varieties, from what are known
as awning" effects to thin line
stripes, as being greatly favored in
the fall style. Lightweight silks will
be preferred over the heavier fabrics,
and there seems every reason to be-
lieve that crepe de chimes and crepe
meteores, as well as gros de Londres
will preserve their popularity. There
are also indications that taffeta will
be in demand, figured blue and white
and black and white patterns being
much sought after.
In respect to colors, a series of very
beautiful new shades in blue have
been brought forward that seen to
have been suggested by the blue of the
new French army uniform. There is
also a very beautiful blue called the
Chinese blue; in fact, the fashions
seem to contain many hints and sug-
gestions Of Chinese origin. Does this
mean that we are due for revival of
Oriental fashions as manifested in the
Chinese love Of magnificance and gor-
geous display?
The yardage demanded by the great
flare of the skirts should have no.
ticeable effect on sales,-a welcome
boon to silk manufacturers after the
narrow skirts of previous seasons.
In respect to ribbons, the new mod
els shown in Paris give reason to hope
that ribbons for dress trimmings will
be in demand, and it is said that mil
linery styles will favor them.