| Main Performers | Helene Sandow - speaker,
Dorothy Anderson,
Elsie Kahn,
Perle Barti - vocals,
Fritzi Von Derra,
Phyllis Bedells - dancers,
Haiden O'Ranee - violin |
| Orchestra or Band | Simon Wurm's Viennese Orchestra |
| Set List | Overture: 'Dichter und Bauer', Suppe, (Simon Wurm's Viennese Orchestra),
Speech: A Word of Welcome to the audience and Presentation of prizes in the 'Quest of the Figure Beautiful' competition (Helene Sandow),
Song: 'Echoes', Pelissier, (Dorothy Anderson),
Classical Dance: 'Vlase Caprice', Rubinstein, (Fritzi Von Derra),
Song: 'O Mio Fernando' (La Favorita), Donizetti, (Elsie Kahn),
Presentation of Prizes, (Helene Sandow),
Grand Dress Parade: (Dresses by: Paquin, Madam Dupree, Madam Harbour, The Sandow Corset Co, Doucet, Drecoll, Beer, Premet, Music for the Parade Simon Wurm's Viennese Orchestra):
'Wedding March', Mendelssohn,
'The Rosary', Nevin,
''Wedding March', Wagner,
'Rose Mousse', Bosc,
'Aisha', Lindsay,
'Humoreske', Dvorak,
'Loin du Bal', Eilenberg,
'La Paloma', Yradier,
'Menuet', Paderewski,
'Adagio', Beethoven,
'Herzblattchen', Eilenberg,
'Danse des Bacchantes', Gounod,
'Old Love is Never Forgotten', Vollstedt,
'Serenade', Moskowski,
'Dans des Libellules', Eilenberg,
'Spring Song', Mendelssohn,
'O! Star of Eve', Wagner,
'Sizilietta', Blon,
'Menuet', Boccherini,
'Salut d'Amour',
'Tales of Hoffman', Offenbach,
'Melody in F', Rubinstein,
'Forget-me-not, Macbeth,
'Chinese Entr'acte',
'Entr'acte Destiny', Baynes,
'Persian Waltz',
'Wedding Dance', Lincke,
Song: 'Jewel Song' (Faust), Gounod (Perle Barti),
Dance: Selected (Phyllis Bedells),
Violin Solo: 'Valse Sentimental', Chopin (Haiden O'Ranee) |
| Royal Presence | HRH The Princess of Thurn and Taxis |
| Performance Notes | This was the first ever fashion show staged in the Royal Albert Hall and consisted of a fashion show on a catwalk accompanied by orchestral music, award ceremony and demonstration. This event was added due to demand and the success of the matinee the day before.
"GRAND DRESS PARADE.
...Each lady appeared on the stage and walked on a raised platform the full length of the hall, thus giving everyone a good chance of seeing her costume.
Bridal robes and bridesmaids' dresses were displayed, reception and evening gowns, home gowns, coats and skirts, tea gowns, and models to be worn at Court. Colour schemes were particularly well seen by a special lighting arrangement by means of two Navy searchlights of 400,000 candle-power.
After the gowns had been exhibited and studied one o fhe experts of the Sandow Corset Company gave a litle corset causerie, explaining the right and the wrong method of choosing and of putting on this important items of the toilette. The speaker pointed out that the corset does most important service, and stated that the Sandow models were hygienic, healthy, and comfortable."
(The Daily Telegraph, 26 March 1914)
"The "Daily Mirror Dress Matinee" yesterday provided a two hours' programme at the Royal Albert Hall. Thirty different examples of the latest fashions were shown. Among those who bought tickets were the Princess of Thurn and Taxis, Viscountess Esther, the Countess of Wemyss, Countess Ferrers, Lord and Lady Tenterden, Lady Conan Doyle, Lady Shackleton, the Lady Mayoress of London, Sir Alfred Turner, and the Japanese Ambassador and his wife. The Viennese Orchestra accompanied the parade of dresses with music "toning" with the gown on view at the moment. Miss Helene Sandow made a speech of welcome to the audience, and also presented prizes of robes to the three winners in the Sandow Corset Company's "Quest of the Figure Beautiful". Miss Peggy Molynoux, the Countess Meho, and Mrs Ashton Harrison received the first, second, and third prizes respectively. The "creations" forming the display were the work of Mme. Dupre, Mme. Aarbour, Beer of Paris, the Sandow Corset Company, Lerijane, Ducoll, and Preuet. A corset causerie and demonstration of figure beauty culture formed an instructive item."
(The Times, 26 March 1914)
"Twenty-seven mannequins [models] displayed dresses by Paquin; Madame Dupree, of Lee-green; Madame Harbour, of Oxford-street; Doucet, Drecoll, Beer, Premet, and the Sandow Corset Co..."
(The Daily Telegraph, 27 March 1914)
Quest of the Figure Beautiful Prize Winners:
1st Prize: Peggy Molyneux (100 guineas worth of Paquin dresses)
2nd Prize: The Countess Meho (65 guineas worth of Paquin dresses),
3rd Prize: Mrs Ashton Harrison (25 guinea Paquin gown) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1914/17) |