St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1961-01-20

selections. Their appointments
have aroused curiosity and slim
ulated interesting discussion.
This was evident during the
semi-annual National Press Week
for Fashion Editors, on Thursday,
January 18th when Mr.. Cassini's
showing was scheduled to be shown
in the ballroom of the well-ap-
pointed Pierre Hotel in New York.
The room was filled to capacity
with over 200 fashion editors from
all over the country, radio and
television technicians and news
paper men who had gathered for
the presentation of the collection
by the designer for the worlds
best dressed woman.
The atmosphere was filled with
excitement. Cameras were flash
ing, tapes recording and everyone
anxiously waiting to see and hear
what the designer of the hour had
to show and say.
Since so many questions had
arisen concerning his appointment
as Mrs. Kennedy's designer for the
next four years, he chose to have
a Press Conference instead. This
decision disappointed many pres
ent. The editors who have been at
tending Press Week for years
know that his showing is one of
the most popular ones presented.
The clothes are definitely de-
signed to bring out a woman's best
points. His chatty commentary,
mixed with wit and the use of sexy,
catchy names for the titles Of his
dresses always added to the CLAM
our of his collection.
Cassini, as he is called by many,
presented a show Of cleverness in
his replies to the many varied
questions directed to him. The
designer Of note talked in general
tiles, but refused to reveal any in
formation that would let the world
know exactly what the first lady
of the land would wear.
He did announce that on the
basis of competition with other
designers, he had submitted SO
sketches for Mrs. Kennedy's con-
sideration. He stated that he was
designing for Mrs. Kennedy be-
cause she chose me-"
I am happy that had had the
privilege to chat with him person
ally in his Park avenue apartment
the day before his scheduled ap-
pearance. 1t would have been i'm
possible amid all of the activity.
During the interview with him, he
was elated, but humble about this
great honor that had been bestowed
upon him. In his warm, friendly
and genuine manner he related
how the responsibility of being the
first lady's designer had placed
added demands upon him. AS I
departed, 1 thanked him for allow
ing me the time to talk with him,
since he had found it impossible
to fulfill this same request by many
other editors. We parted by both
agreeing that the Negro vote had
played an important part in the
election Of Mr.. Kennedy to the
presidency.
So while all eyes were focused
on Mr.. Cassini, I had an informal
talk with his mother, Countess Cas-
SIM. It was then I learned that
Oleg has been designing for prom
inent women since an early age. At
IA he went to Europe with some
friends on a promise. AS a fulfill
ment of the agreement with his
mother, he created his first dress
for her when he returned. He has
been designing ever since. She was
stately, but charming, sweet and
modest as she told how thrilled she
was over her sons achievement. AS
the interview with her was over,
the crowd began to leave to tell
the public his message. Those pres
emit knew that Spring fashions
would have the Kennedy look, es-