The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-21
ty Lady Duff-Gordon

T XACTLY where the inspiration came from for the two accom- - panying pictures cannot say. Possibly the eyes of the charming wearer needed the lines in this direc- tion. Possibly it was the religious feeling inspired by the priestlike cope that called for halo. Then again possibly the design in the brocade led to the Chinese effect of the hat and tassel at the side.
 Anyway, whatever it was, 1t has given birth to something entirely new in the way of hats. Hats have been small and large, tilted at the back and up at the front; with right side up and left side down; left side up and right side down, but do not of fashion have they been worn so as to completely cover the front of the face, and still be becoming-nay, more than that, enchanting, as this one proves to be.
 And l feel sure that before long there will be many varied forms of this new halo or stained-glass window hat. I say window hat purposely, for another hat on these lines which I have in my collection is made of straw, and is therefore opaque, but the section that comes immediately in front of the face is real window of tulle which allows one to see out, and. what is more important, allows others to see in.
 think one of the real reasons why woman is more successful as a fashion creator is that she is all the time sensitive of what Is most attractive to men. and Is better able to cater to those little tricks of sug- gestion in color, line and shade. All the way down in history the veil has played in thousand different forms tn most important part.
 From the Egyptians to the Turks, the Chinese to the French, all alike knew the value of suggestion and the half-veiling of ones charms, and to this purpose is this halo hat of mine, with eyes and face framed in a halo of blue tulle that has an em- broidered design on the rest of the hat, with the exception of the sec tion immediately over the face.
 This halo is scalloped all around the edge and finished with silver. while on the crown of the head and along either side are tassels of Chinese design in curious cerise pinks, and trimmed with little plaques of jade.
 With this marvellous hat Is a cope of green, purple and gold in the famous Chinese willow pattern de- sign. This cloth is as stiff as a board, which gives 1t the extraordi- nary "standouty' look of the ritual copes worn in Russian and Eastern churches. The cuffs and collar are bordered with violet colored velvet, while it is fastened on the front with enormous buttons and loops of gold. Note on the wearer's fingers the soli- taire ecclesiastical ring of single cabochon emerald.
 The white sailor hat is also . great favorite, and it can either be petalled blossoms, or else with softly shaded ostrich feathers.
 And the last word in novelty is to have this feather of purest white, and so long, that, not only does 1t encircle the whole hat, but also and actually, curls, boa fashion, about the neck, to fasten at the side with a pale pure rose, another delicately col ored flower peeping out from the feathery folds on the edge of the brm
 And this novelty in hats Is pro. vided with worthy companion, and completion, in the way of vanity bag, whose soft satin Is entirely cor. rect with snowy white ostrich feath. CTS, little pink rose and a bud fin.