Evening star., 1954-05-16
Past and Present
Fashions Of
Sunny Spain
Are Dramatic
By EIeni

In Spain brightly embroidered
and heavily fringed silk Shawls
are worn. They are never draped
over baby grand pianos.
Though America has taken
fans, matador pants, spit curls.
and other Carmen" touches to
its fashionable heart, no Spanish
woman would ever be guilty Of
wearing a hat shaped like a
matador's "montera."
Shed never wear a shawl, hair
comb and mantilla and carna-
tions in her hair at the same
time, either. Mantilla is the term
used in Spain to designate any
headcovering. The traditional
mantilla is the yards and yards
of black lace placed over high
elaborately carved tortoise shell
comb. It is part of the national
costume and would never be
worn as a stole as so many
foreign women have taken to
wearing it. A bullfighter's cape
wouldn't make the grade as an
evening wrap in Spain, either.
The women of Spain, says
Sonora de Bolin, wife Of the
press and information Counselor
at the Spanish Embassy, are very
smart and possess good taste.
I'VE are conservative and very
proud that our couture has
gained recognition throughout
the world" she added.
Couture Group
This couture group includes
Balenciaga one of the strongest
influences in the fashion world
today. His Paris salon is
world-famous. Other members
of the Spanish couture include
Pertegaz. BaStida, Santa Eulalia
and Rodriguez. They are Joined
by thousands of little dresSmak-
ers in Spain. Sonora Bolin says
every woman in Spain knows
how to sew. You are given.
needle and thread first and then
books in school. Sewing costs
are low and in the case of Balen-
ciaga, it is not uncommon for
some one to see the French COL
lection and do their ordering in
Madrid at a much lower price.
These designers located in fine
residential areas call on Spain'S
culture; her great painters like
VelaSquez, Goya and Zuruban;
magnificent church veStmentS;
and the colorful Spanish way of
life for inspiration for their
fashions. These possess great
drama, a strong Spanish flavor,
and yet a non-costumey look.
The passing cultures OF Ibe-
ria, the Moors and Europe
stopped and left their strong
imprint on the fashions Of Spain.
The mantilla and comb. for ex-
ample, is q relic from Moorish
days when women were veiled.
Costumes of the provinces are
colorful, frequently elaborate
and becoming. Wrap over shawls,
full skirts and brightly embroid-
cred aprons are characteristic.
So. too, are the triangular shaped
earrings dating back centuries.
No posture experts are needed
in Spain. The women have an
erect bearing the envy Of their
sisters throughout the world.
Wherever they are located
Spanish women are vain about
their beautiful hair, their small
feet and their love of pretty
stockings. :
Marriage spells out a lot of
freedom in fashion for Spanish
women. When she marrieS, she
can assume all the Sophistica-
ton for which she has ever
yearned. StrapleSs gowns are
worn by the young matron who
is by and large Spain's most
fashionable woman. A young
girl doesn't wear much jewelry.
makeup or daring clothes. She
won't wear mink regardless Of
how wealthy the family Is Span
ish women like to spend a lot Of
time in the beauty parlor. They
know elegance takes time and
that's what they give it.
Spain is famous for its beauti-
full leather. The women love it
made up in Spanish -toed pumps
and in simple but handsome
handbags and gloves. They love
high heels and even teenagers
prefer them to flats"
Babies also share the fashion