Evening star., 1940-07-24
BY JOAN GARDNER.


This erclusiue story by The
Euening Stars NeW York fashion
correspondent presents an init
mate picture of the arriudl OF
Nine. SctiaparelH and of her e1-
pected influence upon fashions
here as tDelI as obroad-Ed,
NEW YORK CITY. July a.
When the Clipper whicn left Lisbon
more than a week ago docked in
New York late Saturday, several
days behind schedule, 1t brought to
America Nine. Elsa Schiaparelli,
whom the fashion world had been
impatiently awaiting as the one
person best able to speak for the
French couture. She, they knew.
would be able to give an accurate
account of what has happened dur
ing the recent days of dark un-
certainty and would have mes
sage from the French couture as
to its plans for the future.
She did not disappoint them. I'M
mediately upon her arrival, Nine.
Schiaparelh announced that she
comes to America to speak for the
French couture and that she brings
a message of confidence and hope.
While here, she will speak to women
from coast to coast under the
auspices of the Columbia Broad
casting Co., giving lectures in key
cities of America. Her subject will
be Women and Their Activities" !"
These lectures will be given during
October, and meanwhile, Nine. Schi-
aparelli will create q small collec-
ton to be exhibited throughout the
country at the time of her lectures.
The collection is not to be created
with the thought that Nine. Schi-
aparelli is opening a dressmaking
business here. It will be done for
French charity. It is Nine. Schi-
aparelli's plan that the proceeds
from the sale of her models to
selected wholesale manufacturers
shall be given to fund for the aid
of the many skilled needlewomen
who though they have been the
backbone Of the French couture,
have been thrown out Of work and
scattered helplessly throughout
France by recent events.
Nine. Schiaparelli feels strongly
on this point. Speaking for the
French couture, she said: IN.
Lelong, M. Molyneux and I, when
difficulties began, moved simulta-
neously to Biarritz, hoping there to
set up a skeleton unit Of the French
couture around which the other de-
signers might rally and where we
might, after a fashion, carry on.
I'VE had just gotten q small stan
settled there in q house at the sea-
side with food enough for three
months and had started designing
in 'toile' when the capitulation Of
France stopped our activities. We
agreed among ourselves not to break
this unity we had built. With the
blessing of M. Lelong, I came tc
America to try and speak for al
Of us and to tell America that the
French couture will carry on as soor
as conditions make it possible and
shipments can be made. It may be
only q few months, it may be q
season or two or longer. M. Molly.
neux returned to London with the
same message. Between us We
agreed that individually there would
be no work done until the French
couture as q group could be re.
established. It is the only fair thing
to do."
us 1t possible to carry on creative
work under q Fascist France?
asked Nine. Schiapareln.
France is not Fascist" she re.
piled quickly, 'tat least it was mol
when left, but then I have beer
four weeks on the way. What 1t vii
be We cannot say. But the French
couture will work again just u
soon as 1t is evident that shipments
can be made"
about this collection you are 60.
ing to do, will you use American
fabrics? Do you know what sil'
houette you viii designf VIII !