The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-17
LONDON, Nov. |

AOsNbo2NB ~>oN' -
Ut INTEND to make my living in
the future by designing dresses.
= much the same as any other
ertist; It is. I suppose. the fortune of
war;" Thus Count Michael Torby,
only son of the Grand Duke Michael,
cousin and intimate friend of the late
Gar Of All the Russias, member of the
most ceremonious of royal houses. the
Romanoffs; distant relative OF the
King of England. 1t Is one OF those
curious topsy-turvy romances OF the
war
Little did the young Count imagine,
say three years ago, that he would
ever be dependent on his favorite
hobby for a living. Then he contem-
plated work OF no more serious kind
than falls TO the lot of q subaltern in
crack cavalry regiment. Since has
Happened the great Russian revolu-
ton: the Grand Dukes thousands
have flown to the winds. Ken Wood,
lis great mansion in Hampstead. has
Len leased. and the young Count Is
,Ibarking on his new career. rival
~ LUZ anu olhih uiiN cbSh.
- have studied art for many years
lie said. I'm the Old days ] designed
most Of my mothers and sisters
dresses. Now l am TO turn my bent
70 more practical purposes.
No, l see nothing unusual in it. 1
intend taking my new profession very
seriously. Many of my designs. exc
cuted by Reveille & Rossiter. have al
ready been disposed Of. / am to be
employed by them permanently in the
future. Then. after the war. perhaps
l am to go to Paris to finish my art
studies"
In age the Count is little more
than a boy; at 10 this change In the
family fortunes would be sufficient to
daunt the courage OF most; but not
so in his case. He does not consider
his new profession queer in any sense
~ the word.
He il sincere in his art. lie be-
,leves in il. In the past, as an anna
teur. he has achieved many successes,
notably with the gowns OF his mother
the Grand Duchess; with designs
worn by Polaire and other famous
actresses; and with the costumes worn
by the bridesmaids at the wedding OF
his sister NADIA to the Count OF Me-
dna-the late Prince George Of Bat
tenberg.
With all his high placed relations 1t
may be wondered at that the Count
has chosen business as his calling in
lie. But he loves Independence. II
10 a strong family trait. He could not
go into tho army for diplomatic
reasons. So taking his courage in
both hands he defied convention and
fashionable opinion alike by becom-
Ing a fashion plate artist. In much
the same way his father before him
dehed a former Gar OF Russia, who
refused TO approve his marriage to the
beautiful Countess Torby, daughter Of
Prince Nicholas of Nassau. The bride,
not being OF royal blood, was not re-
ceived In the conservative Russian
court. So the Grand Duke came to
live in England.
Popular and gifted. the Grand Duke
Is close friend OF both Queen Mary
and King George. who were among
Inc guests at his Hampstead home at
elmer and dance given just before
NE war TO celebrate the coming out
OF Countess Zia Torby, who after
ward married Major Sir Derrick
Mernher, the inheritor OF millions
'eit by his father. Sir Julius wernher.
me South African diamond company
director. The late Car also was on
M,erdly terms with the Grand Duke
Niehael, and the young Count might
Perhaps have gained a position in Rus
ga such as would seem the proper lot
VI cousin Of the Car.
lie was brought up in luxury In