Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1891 — CLOAK-HOUSE MODELS. [ARTICLE]

CLOAK-HOUSE MODELS.

They are Very Scarce and Control Fair Salaries. Cloak manufacturers are complaining of the great scarcity of desirable models. There was a time, they say, when an advertisement for a model or figure, us they are called in the business, would bring forth a flood of replies. This is the busiest season of the year, and many new models are required to “try on” in the work and sales rooms. There are thousands of young women in this city who imagine themselves physically cut out to become a cloak model, but they are far from it. The public knows very little concerning the requirements for a figure. The fact flint they nre paid from $lO to $lB per week for comparatively easy work is a sure indication that they are not to be had in great numbers. It doesn’t require any experience to be a model. One must be graceful and have fine physical proportions. Good looks don’t count, either, though a showroom figure must have some attractions and dress much better than an unknown model.

Manufacturers as a rule require a woman of about 5 feet, tij inches in height. She seldom goes under that, but sometimes half an inch more is desirable. Misses’ figures go according to age ami in very few cases become good women models. The professional figure hns a natural grace about her that cannot be acquired by artificial means. Any young woman who has the height mentioned above, a bust measurement of 3tj inches, waist 24 inches, length of back from IG4 to 17 inches, amis 24 inches, neck 124 inches, hips 42 inches and 134 inches across the shoulders, is a perfect figure and can find steady employment in any cloak house, at any time if she chooses. January, February, July and August are the busiest months in the cloak business. During the first two months out-of-town buyers flock here in great numbers to purchase goods for the spring and summer trude. The last two mouths are used for laying in a supply of fall and winter wraps and suits. The showroom figures generally have a contract for ail the year around and are paid in full for the same, but they seldom have to do much outside those four months. The work-room figures are always kept busy. They are the hardest worked of any in tiro establishment. The sample model must be the most perfect. She, too, is compelled to toil the year around. Manufacturers would not to have pay for other than actual working time if there were not a dearth in models. The biggest cloak house in this city employs fifteen figures. The “tryingon" to show to customers is done by either an examiner or the lady assistants. “A model must not be too attractive,” suid a manufacturer. “A beautiful face draws too much attention when a person is buying and results in u neglect of proper inspection of the article displayed. M’lmt is required is to show the stock to its best advantage without drawing unnecessary attention to the model.”—[New York World.