La Mode Illustrée, Mai 1898, No. 18 : Toilettes de Mmes Brun-Cailleux (...) 1898

This fashion plate, created by Cholet in May 1898, depicts the height of Parisian fashion. The striking striped patterns on the dresses are more than mere decoration; they are symbolic of order, status, and modernity. The lines evoke a sense of structure, reminiscent of the architectural feats of the era, such as iron constructions like the Eiffel Tower. One might recall the ancient Roman toga, where the arrangement of folds and fabric similarly denoted social rank. Here, these vertical lines elongate and refine the silhouette, symbolizing a progressive era. Observe the woman reading the letter. Note how this gesture recalls countless depictions of the Annunciation. Through these visual echoes, we subconsciously connect with themes of destiny and revelation. The letter as a carrier of personal narrative—a motif that continues to resurface in our collective memory and evolves in meaning across time.