The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-10-29
COOLIDGE GIVEN
HISTORICAL
LET TIERS
Jean Patou, Noted Dress
maker, Presents Lafayette
Letters to President


from Jean Patou, the Partisan
dressrnaker OF international fame,
a Toast to Boston," an original
letter from the MarQuise de La
fayette to the Vicomte de Noialles,
while the former was ID an Ameri-
can camp during the revolution.
M. Patou, who is known as the
best dressed man In Europe" jour
neyed to Washington to present this
celebrated historical document to
the Chief Executive. His call Mt
the White House was brief but was
made with characteristic Partisan
flourish.
A large batch Of other historical
letter in Patou's possession, including
communications to Lafayette from
Alexander Hamilton and James
Fenimore Cooper are to be pre-
scented TO the Congressional Library
az the suggestion Of the President.
Mr.. Patou gave the President a
bound copy Of all the original let
tiers.
Patou made a picturesque figure
as he was ushered In to see Presi-
dent Coolidge today. He was at.
tired in the latest Paris mode, at
striking variance with the more
proHaic attire Of the usual run OF
White House callers.
He was cordially greeted by the
President and told the latter he
was enjoying his visit to this cottn-
try.
Arbiter OF women's fashions,
Patou IL q soldier, sportsman, mil.
lionaire business man, automobile
racing driver, aviator and biblio-
phile.
Toasts Written, on Cuffs.
It was his avocation, as It may
be called, Of bibliophile that played
an important part in bringing NJ.
Patou to America, In the course
Of his collecting Of rare books and
manuscripts, he came across the
unusually valuable Lafayette letters
which he presented to President
Coolidge today at the White House.
On learning OF their Importance
In American history, M. Patou de-
termined to place them where they
rightfully belong--in America. The
300 letters. of General Lafayette
include twelve hitherto unpublished
ones, and forty toasts which the
marquis had written on his cuff
to deliver at dinners. These are
in English.
Two predictions regarding the
spring fashions were made ny AIr.
Patou in an interview In mis- suite
at the Willard as he was oeing
ineticulously arrayed in morning
attire for his call at the White
House.
Chiffon is going to figure proni-
hently in Patou's fashions, and,
after all, that means that it is
going to be the vogue, as 1t is con-
ceded that the young head of the
extremely modish Paris dress making
establishment has considerable to
say about what madame shall wear.
Materials for mems clothing, NJ.
Patou confided, are going to be used
extensively in sport costumes.
M Patou has looked forward to
his trip to America in order to see
the American woman ''as she 3s."
Not Typical.
1.-THE American woman ] meet In
Paris" he said, lis, I might say,
selected. She is not in her native
sphere, in surroundings of her own
making. It is to see her in her
home, motoring, dancing, and en-
gaging in all her varied activities
that / have come. A gown, you
know, depends largely for it's charm
blend well with, a Louis XIV salon
most likely would not stand in fit
ting contrast to an American draw
ing room"
1t is said that Patou's success in
designing women's wear is his con.
slant insistence on designing with a
view to the place where the gown
or other costume shall be worn. He
believes that sport rnd dancing
have had much to do with the .eVO-
luton OF feminine clothing.
The American woman, Patou be-
Heves, Is the typical modern
woman" He describes her as the
silhouette type. 1t is one of Patou's
guiding principles in designing to
have woman wear what best
brings out her personality, instead
Of the costume producing an effect
Of itself.
Patou has some decided opinions
on mems attire, and he first follows
them assiduously himself. He travels
with a wardrobe with capital "W,"
1t is enough and then some.
About sixty suits Of clothes for all
occasions, sport, informal, business
and formal occasions are in his
trunks. His array of neckties runs
around 300. But of canes, he has
but one. Why? Patou says a cane
Is like q woman--when you have one
that you love, keep it only.
A man, Patou believes, should
think and think carefully about what
he Is to wear, and having thought
Of it, dismiss it from his mind once
he is attired. Consciousness of what
he wears should never be apparent
in a man, he AYERS.
A woman. on the other hand, not
only may think Of what she "a wear
ing, but 1t is entirely feminine that
she does reflect consciously her ar.
tire.
Patou leaves this afternoon for
Chicago, after which he will visit
Detroit, Boston and philadelphia.
sailing November 10. His tour
will be both social and business,
including attendance at social func.
tons and inspection of large bust.
ness establishments to see how
Americans present styles.
Patou's soldering was done dur.
ing the World War in the oriental
zouaves, Of which he was a can.
tain. He served in the orient