HATS BEING MODELLED AT THE SHOW.




Initials RM/V/JF/FB



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Background: WOMEN'S HATS HAVE BEEN SUFFERING SOMETHING OF A SLUMP IN POPULARITY LATELY -- AT LEAST AMONG THE YOUNGER WOMEN, WHOSE DRESS FASHIONS TEND TO FAVOUR BARE HEADS. HOWEVER, THE LONDON MILLINERY GUILD SAYS ITS LATEST HAT SHOW, WHICH OPENED AT THE DORCHESTER HOTEL TODAY (MONDAY), HAS BEEN BREAKING ATTENDANCE RECORDS, WITH VISITORS FROM COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HOLLAND, WEST GERMANY, SWEDEN, NORWAY AND SOUTH AFRICA.

THE SHOW HAS A DEFINITE NOSTALGIC AIR ABOUT IT, WITH MODELS HARKING BACK TO THE 20'S AND 30'S. BERMAN HATS IS SHOWING A "FLAPPER CLOCHE" OF THE TWENTIES IN ORANGE FELT AND WORN WITH A FEATHERY BOA. ANOTHER, BY PADDISON AND CALLED A "CHARLESTON CLOCHE" IS MADE OF GOLD LANE AND OFFSET WITH A MULTI-COLOURED OSTRICH PLUME. IN CONTRAST IS "COWBOY", MADE FROM STRIPS OF GROSGRAIN SEWN TOGETHER TO FORM A CHEVRON PATTERN. THE UNDERBRIM IS OF FINE STRAW.