Viewing page 5 of 21

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[Left Page]
ON A PERSONAL BIAS by Bernice Peck

Breasts, now and then: Breasts are being worn way out in the open today--when they are not wagging away under a clinging bra-less top. Yet it is a mere few years since either style of presentation would have been hooted as crude, a hooker's device. But gee, one fashion-history book states that way back in the Tudor period, the citizenry regarded the exposed female bosom as a sign of, yes, virginity. (Virginity was desirable in those days.) When the breasty young virgin was safely married, things changed, and the creampuff view was shut off under a strictly buttoned-up bodice. As for good Queen Bess (also known as The Virgin Queen), she went right on shoving her front out even after it was all pouty with wrinkles. This confirmed the claim to her specialty, durable maidenhood. 

Sweet smell of: Back in the Thirties there was a Parfum Mae West  supposedly "dripping with sex appeal." Anyway, that's what the advertising said. It does not seem to be around any more. But three other fragrances, intimately and more elegantly associated with the the theatre have just come along. 
  They are very much on the classy side, being in honor of Sir Noel Coward's plays. Thus: Blithe Spirit, bright and flowering. Easy Virtue, rich, deep, exotic. Conversation Piece, green, with roses and jasmine. The collection has products for both women and men, was brought out first in London by Stanley Hall. They are not cheap. Men's after-shave spray is $9.50. The perfume is $22.50 the half-ounce. It seems safe to say you'll like one or more, and Bergdolf Goodman is the only place you can sample and buy them. 
  As for Sir Noel's onstage continuity, how about Private Lives, starring Maggie Smith (46th Street Theatre), one of the true nostalgic delights of the season.

Speak of perfume and inevitably you speak of Charles Revson, a gentleman who has the touch of genius for the stuff. He has just fetched out another beauty, the third in the past year, every one different, every one in the key of C. First there was the bright vivacious Charlie, then the depthy, complicated Ciara and now, the velvet touch of Cerissa. As perfume "personalities" I admire them all, but Cerissa has the special soft charm I find hardest to resist. Prices go from $4.50 to $50.

In March, another new perfume will be walking off the counters. Because Halston (yes, him), developed it, and it has the autority of his elegant clothes. A perfumer would describe it as a light Oriental with fresh green notes and a very feminine quality. The name? Halston, of course, which is certainly candid. Prices start at $9 for the cologne, slide up to $100 for the two-ounce perfume. There is also a sculptured teardrop bottle of the perfume hanging from a sterling silver neck-chain. This sweet bauble, designed by Halston with Elsa Peretti, is yours for only $3.75, with

[Left side bottom, advertisement for Orlane]
Why the rich look different from you and me.

ORLANE.
An advantage shared by the world's most beautiful women.
Orlane, 680 Fifth Avenue, New York 10019, Paris, London

[Right page, advertisement for Rena Rowan]
Rena Rowan for Jones New York.

JONES NEW YORK, 1411 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 10018.