text: m » w.-wy> '■■ yg»n 4<m <RM W| *B r 0% ■-' ■ ' I •'-••■ • -'*'-< i . 1 B B jf, a f X1 > 11 ' v 1 t Bl B». te. ' ! ■ JWilE' ■gfe, M. in .• i 4M»te IBb * ■ I Kb 11 ' * ><, iiSo 81-”B 1 -”- '-■ ■ r *» 888881 Bk 1 I —Hessler Photo MISS CHARLOTTE KIDDER Debutante Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph A. Kidder •>:< • 1 — 11 BpEXCLUS/VELY If YOURS || By BETTY BEALE Randolph Kidders' Daughter Presented at Brilliant Ball Washington society will I buzz for weeks over the bril liant debut dance Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Kidder and her mother. Mrs. Elbridge ’ Gerry Chadwick, gave Satur day night for their daughter 1 and granddaughter. Handsome brunet Charlotte Kidder made her bow at the biggest and most exciting ball any one debutante has had in several seasons. Nine hundred and fifty people attended, and they came from New York, Canada and even Paris, France. They found the Mayflower Hotel Ballroom and Chinese Room aflame with red ostrich plumes and red drapery, and the gold Napoleon 111 decor i of the ballroom regilded to create a dramatic effect sim ilar to the plush elegance of the Paris Opera. It was deco rated by New York Designer Valerian Rybar. THEY DANCED FROM 10:30 UNTIL 5 in the morn ing to Meyer Davis’ full orchestra, led by the maestro himself. The music never ceased and it was never more inspired. During the entire 6'2 hours, the 72-year-old orchestra leader, who also had played for Diana Hardin's dinner dance preceding the ball, was seen taking only one rest period. He was scheduled to play for another party in Chicago last night. Both Mrs. Kidder and her daughter wore gowns from Paris, where the Kidders are currently making their home. Randy is Counselor at the American Embassy there. The debutante wore a white satin embroidered dress by Lanvin, while her mother was gowned in a red sheath designed by Jacques Griffe, which matched the red ostrich plumes that regularly topped the draped cloth of gold backdrop to the receiving line in the Chinese Room. Accenting her dress were platinum, gold and jeweled earrings made for her in Paris and sculptured to the ears, plus a matching choker clip. BUT THE SCENE IN THE BALLROOM was even more elegant. The entrance to the room and every box in both upper and lower tiers were framed with red faille draperies caught up with golden tassels. Every table in every box was covered with a red and gold Fortuny type print and centered with gold candelabra holding red candles and entwined with gold and red leaves. But perhaps the most elegant touch of all was the graceful "hedge" of red ostrich plumes that curled up and outward from around the ballroom's magnificent crystal chandeliers. It seemed as if most of Washington society was at the white-tie affair. In the fast-moving receiving line were Mrs. Nicholas Longworth with former Ambassador and Mrs. David K. E. Bruce, Evangeline Bruce, in a short pale blue faille dress from Paris; Mrs. Sumner Welles with the Drew Pearlsons, Brazilian Ambassador and Mme. Moreira Sallea: Mr. and Mrs. Struve Hensel — Isabel in a champagne and gold brocade French gown; and Mr. and Mrs. Robert van Roijen, the later wearing a short, red-enscrolled print on black, also from Paris. THE NEW UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT, Frederick Reinhardt, had a twirl with his wife. They will leave in February for Cairo, where the former Counselor of the State Department will succeed Raymond Hare, the new Deputy Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. Secretary of Defense and Mr. Tom Gates were there, Tom having a dance with Lily Guest. Senator and Mrs. Store Hours daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Corners open tonight until 9:30 p.m. Delman Medium Heel A A A 5-10 A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Nations 8-7730 Mike Monroney took a turn around the dance floor. So did British Minister Lord Hood with Oatsey Leiter, who was wearing a pale gold satin ball dress. And Peruvian Ambassador Fernando Berkemeyer had a dance with Joan Asten, who had on a smart black and white satin sheath. Sue Rosenberg Railey, who flew all the way from Paris just to attend the party, sat in a box with Kay Graves, the Leslie Glenns and Joe Bryan. M. Georges Bernier of Paris, editor of "L’Oeuil" and Paris representative of Knoedler's Gallery in New York, was there with his wife. Joe and Lulu Pulitzer flew in from St. Louis for the gay to-do. Margot and Jack Mitchell came down from New York for it, as did Mrs. Enrique Zanetti and Mrs. Burgevin Egan, two intimate friends of Dottie Kidders. A third very close friend, Mrs. John Porteous, flew down from Montreal to attend. STEWART AND TISH ALASOP came down from Philadelphia for the big evening and encountered a shattering blow in the process. Stewart’s book on the two Republican presidential candidates entitled "Nixon and Rockefeller," was to be published by Doubleday in a month’s time. But the news of Gov. Rockefeller’s withdrawal from the race would seem to make the book obsolete before it sees the light of day. Yusha Auchincloss and his wife, the former Alice Lyon, were down from New York. The Hugh D. Auchinclosses were there, too, and Susie and Arthur Gardner, the Alexandre Cretzianus, Donna Julia Brambilla, Scottie and Jack Lanahan. Pat and Herbert Klotz, the Frederick Les, the Bob Lees, French Minister and Mme. Lebel. The Luis Pedrosos of the Spanish Embassy, Clayton Fritchey, Bob McEvaine, George Doole, Florence Schlubach, Philip and Jackie Chadbourn, the Malcolm McConihes, Frank Meloy, Henry Brandon, Faith Ackerman, Parr Johnson, Gwen and Morris Cafritz, Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Sarnoff, the Jack Merriams, Tony Teixeira, Eugene Gonzalez, down from New York where he is now living, and Spottswood White, also in from Gotham. The list goes on and on, which is what most people wanted the party to do. A lavish supper was served in the East Room from 1 or so until the not-so-small hours. Dottie Kidder thought of ending the dance music at 4, but was quickly overcome by the enthusiasm expressed for its continuance. At 5 she called a halt to one of the gayer gatherings of the season. Mr. Kidder returned to his Paris post today. His wife will join him next Monday. Charlotte will return to Briarcliff then with a memory worth remembering. THREE PARTIES YESTERDAY put the finishing— and I do mean finishing— touch to the weekend. The former Joan Rowcliff and her husband, Dick Brecker, came down from New York to christen their 3-month-old daughter Pamela and tossed a 4:30-to-7 party at Dr. and Mrs. Bill Philip Visson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andre Visson of Washington, comes home for Christmas. This is his first visit home since he became the "boy wonder" of the art world with a show in Paris.—Star Staff Photo by Arnold Sachs. BOY ARTIST RETURNS Philip Visson's Success Was Too Fast to Believe By AMELIA YOUNG Star Staff Writer Philip Visson, the boy wonder of the Paris art world, paid a fleeting call on his home town last week. Here for the first time since his triumphant debut as a painter last December — in fact, for the first time in three years — he explained his long absence: "I was almost afraid to return. I thought I might fall back into my childhood. But it feels wonderful." Philip, the 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Andre Vis- son, stunned Paris critics a Howard's house afterwards. It was a double celebration, today being Joan and Dick's second wedding anniversary. Leslie and Bjorn Ahlander were hosts at a 6-to-8 party for the Kidders that really lasted till 9:30. Last year with his first exhibition of paintings. Never formally trained in art, he had taken up oil painting only a few months before when “a friend gave me a box of colors.” Propelled by the need to express his feelings, the earnest dark-eyed boy turned out 72 works from October to December, using a bathroom as his studio. "I couldn't stop myself," Philip said. "I never went out. I just painted all the time." Honored in New York Not long after his Paris debut, Philip's paintings were shown in Geneva, Switzerland; then, last spring, at the Milch Gallery in New York. (This was a signal honor — the only other beginner's work ever exhibited at that gallery was that of George Bellow’s.) One-man shows may be held in Washington and Chicago before long. And paintings by Philip now hang in private collections across the country. His remarkable success Prince Georges 7 Corners Silver Spring Street That Same Wonderful Fabric That Sold Nationally for $89.98 Einiger’s Kashville 59.98 The fabric that epitomizes luxury and quality—exquisitely tailored with crepe-back satin lining for year-round wear, hand-picked stitching. A choice of button or clutch styles. 80% wool and 20% nylon in sizes 6 to 20 for misses and petites. At all 4 Harris stores in imperial blue, black, bamboo, nude or pennant red. Will Call Regular Charge Extended Payments Suburban Stores Open Tonight Prince Georges Plaza 7 Corners Shopping Center, Va. Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring 1224 F Street, Washington The Evening Star Washington, D.C., Manway, December 21, 1959 came so fast "I didn't even believe it myself," Philip said in an interview Saturday. "But it can come easily and go easily. I try not to think about it." He works less furiously now, he said, but with more thought and discipline. Older artists in Paris, friends of his parents, act as informal tutors, giving advice on the technical aspects of painting. Occasionally, one or another will point out that his style, which is expressionistic, strong and simple, is changable. In some respect, "And then I will notice it," he remarked. Avoids Formula Like all artists, especially those who have won recognition, he has to guard against being too conscious, "falling into a formula," as he calls it. "That's why I like drawing very late at night. Then one draws half unconsciously." He doesn't believe in abstract art, he says, "because the artist must keep repeating himself. Unless you repeat, nobody will understand that these were all painted by you. Viewers won’t recognize the style." He added, "But I can understand that some painters wouldn't find satisfaction in figurative art." Though never an art student, the young painter has been drawing since he was a little boy. Teachers at St. Albans School here doubtless remember the lad named Philip who was always "doodling" in class. "I suppose," he said, "that's why my grades weren't very good." In those days, he said, "I was always drawing very badly. I never did what I wanted. And it made me unhappy." Lacked Confidence He was shaky about his early success with oils. "I didn't want to sell any of the paintings," he said. "I was afraid I could never do another one like this. "But now I feel they’re even more mine when they belong to someone else. You know, when you do something you like you want to show it to somebody. And he likes it, and you want to show it to someone." "A somebody else. Well, I feel my paintings are spreading out and getting more contact." "A painting," Philip went on. "First exists in the artist. And then it exists in the person who sees it. And then it exists all alone.” Philip's plans for the future are fairly tentative. He wants to work in Paris. “Permanently for the time being. But I think I should go somewhere else in three or four years. I don’t know where. Maybe to Spain.” He was to leave for New York today. "I have to be back in Paris by the 15th,” he said. Why the 15th? Did he have an appointment? "Oh, no.” he replied. "I just have to get painting again.” ADVERTISEMENT. How to grow beautiful African Violets These lovely flowers are America’s most popular house plant, but it takes expert advice to keep them healthy and blooming. January Better Homes & Gardens gives you all you need to know to keep African Violets at their beautiful best. There’s information on how to pot, feed and water the plants, and what kind of light they prefer. It's all in January Better Homes & Gardens. Get your copy today, wherever magazines are sold! Spouse cleaning? I help. LARGE CLEANING DUPONT 7-1111 N G A ’S A N L 9:05-9:30 A.M. MON. 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