Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

By Photoplay’s Fashion Scout p H 0 T 0 P L A Y At the races Betty Grable wore a cutaway worsted suit of cocoa brown. And a very flattering color it is for her, too. The skirt, of the longer length, was very fashion right. A dead white starched waistcoat, under the trim jacket, gave color relief. Betty’s large gauntlet gloves were ivhite too. Her hat, a straw bowler, was brown. Her shoulder -slung bag and pumps were of brown alligator. Lucille Ball celebrated the sixth wedding anniversary of her marriage to Desi Arnaz at Ciro’s — where his band played. Lucille’s lovely figure paid just tribute to her two-piece xvhite dinner dress, the top of which, completely covered with tiny , nailheads, was snug from the waist up, but had a tunic cut flared from the hips. The skirt, not too full, hung ever so softly to the floor. At her waist Lucille wore a slim gold kid belt. And her jewelry consisted of a huge gold and topaz ring and a matching bracelet. Marie MacDonald, at Ciro’s the same night, combined black and white in her versatile short length dinner dress. The dress, black and simple, was com plemented by a snow-white ermine hat which haloed her face. White was repeated in her necklace of wooden beads. Her accessories were black suede. Joaxi Caulfield lunched at the Brown Derby in a wool coat of a deep champagne, designed after the lines of an officer’s coat with belted cuffs and back and wide revers. Her jersey sports dress was light brown. So was her hat, a sailor, and her gloves, bag and shoes. , Anita Colby, Photoplay’s Beauty Editor, looked like a figure from a Gainsborough portrait at the Doug Fairbanks’ party. Her gown of heavy ivory satin featured a low decollete neckline. The sleeves, satin poufs, molded gently into her bodice, on which were placed two huge cabbage roses of deep green satin. Her gathered waistline gave vent to a very full skirt and toward the bottom of the skirt another satin rose nestled among the ample folds. At the same party Claudette Colbert wore a handsome black gown of heavy satin. A gathered bodice crossed in front at the waistline and from there full gathers draped the skirt. The neckline was low in front and even lower in back where an attached yoke of black chant illy lace fell back like a cape. With this gown Claudette wore a platina fox stole. Dining at La Rue Dinah Shore wore an evening gown of soft gray marquisette. The gracefully draped bodice was cut higher on one shoulder, with a scarf flowing back almost to the hemline. Under her billowing skirt of marquisette was an underskirt of taffeta with a huge decorative bow on one side.. Cleatus Caldwell wore a gay interpretation of a bolero suit to the Beverly Hills Club for lunch the other day. The skirt and small bolero were sheer gray wool. A pure silk carnival print cummerbund swathed her waist, with the same highly colored print serving as lining for her jacket and her blouse. A gray wool turban and black accessories were Cleatus’ finishing touches. The Story of Catherine McLeod’s Striped Dress Catherine McLeod, young Republic star of "I’ve Always Loved You,” was Photoplay’s representative at a recent Minx Modes Junior Board of Review. Catherine flew from California to St. Louis for a jam-packed three-day whirl of press interviews, radio broadcasts, a visit with the Mayor of St. Louis, who presented her with a key to the city, and, most important of all, the Minx Modes showing of their new spring dresses. The Minx Modes Board of Review was originated to determine exactly what the young girl of fashion wants to wear. The clothes are modeled before the girls on the Board and votes Catherine, en route to St. Louis Fashion Show are taken as to favorites. A pair of scissors is kept handy to eliminate anything on a dress that is not approved by the Board, so that by the time these dresses are sent to a store in your city they warrant their tag of approval. The girls on this Board are chosen for their fashion interest. Stores throughout the country conduct contests to decide upon their representatives. Anyone can enter these contests who wears a Junior size, is young and knows what she wants in her clothes. Catherine charmed the girls on the Board with her easy gaiety and enthusiasm. Soon after her arrival they were laughing and whispering as if they had known each other for years. On the opening color page of_-our Fashion Section this month you’ll find Catherine posing in the dress that she picked from all the exciting clothes. It’s in her personal wardrobe, too. 96