OCR Text |
Show MEN DRESSMAKERS .OF PARIS. i Th.ey Have Adopted the Language H and Walk of Women. jj Tho originator of the Idea was a genius, 8 says Frances ICcyzen, writing from Paris 9 to the "King." Ho had a thorough knowl- S edge of women, made a fortuno out of 1 thorn, and left his naino to his sons Strang stories are told of the reign of n this worthy man ovor petticoat-land, of S his tyranny and his sway. His ons aro H lightly picking their way whero he trod. m Times havo changed. V Tho modern dressmaker Ls a hybrid S creature, Ho has the external appearanco I S of a man, dresses In tho frock-coat and I J complementary parts of mascullno attire, 1 'M and has the language and walk of a wo- i 1 man. Ho talks of moussellno dc solo and ft emplocements, volants en forme, ami j A gored skirts, and dreams of combinations I of color and material. He la aurrounded j S from morning till night with women, llve-s 1 like a sultan among them, and Is natu- m rally Impregnated by their Ideas. sj His study Is a sanctum of elegance, i ffl eighteenth century engravings ornament W tho walls; tho chairs and couches aro jij covered with old silks In exquisite faint- St ness; It is here ho passes his flngera , V through his hair and composes. Such Is ; El popular tradition. In plnin unvarnished J fact he composes nothing. Tho embrold- i orcr embroiders, tho weaver weaves, and 1 tho season's wares aro "brought before 1 him. Ho selects the best patterns and ' I makes them his property, those he rejects W find their way Into tho magosins des nou- jfl veautes Then commences the work of 1j his army of women. They design for theso materials, and ho selects ngnln, ta- M king perhaps a sleevo from one, a skirt n from another; and thus ho builds tho mod- ral els that tho world comes to buy. fj3f His vanity" Is passing strong. Is. It lilt f fault If he considers himself a god? Ho 91 is tho god of fashion, a sort of Buddha with- twolvo heads tho Immortal twelvo as they are worthy of being called. For Si- aro they of much loss use to tho coun- a trv than the members of that august In- 1 i stitutlon, tho French academy? Tho head of each firm is flattered and favored be- U yond tho wildest imagination of tho or- n dlnary man. A Minister or tho President i of the Republic Is moro easily approached nl than tho man-dressmaker in his tcmplo of 9 art I often think, as I watch M. Jean 9 and M. Jacques lu tho midst of their I workers, how I should Hko to eoo them ( 9 at home. i M |