Très Parisien, 1925, No. 1, Pl. 5: Créations CYBER - Mephist (...) 1925

Curator: This drawing, "Tr\u00e8s Parisien, 1925, No. 1, Pl. 5," is a print by G-P. Joumard from 1925, and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: The immediate impression I get is one of demure elegance, there is an overall sense of refined beauty. I am also immediately drawn to the muted color palette and what looks like a collage or layering style. Curator: The medium is listed as drawing, and given the Art Deco style, this piece likely reflects a streamlined, machine-age aesthetic using watercolours and muted pastel tones. Joumard seems to prioritize clear lines to emphasize structure over intricate detail, reflecting the post-war emphasis on newness. Editor: Absolutely, it's fascinating how this work sits within a specific historical and social context. We see representations of modern women. I'm interested in how these kinds of images would have helped shape ideals around femininity, or ideas around the availability of luxury, or who gets to participate in Parisienne culture. Curator: And consider the physical process. The printing and distribution of such images implies industrial methods—were they intended as accessible to a broad public, a way to familiarize people with trends, or restricted to an elite clientele? Also the text gives indications as to materials, referencing Chinese crepe and embroidery, telling a story of global trade routes, artistic collaborations, or colonial extractions. Editor: Exactly! These works served to not only reflect ideals, but to help propagate certain consumerist behaviours. Fashion is never simply fashion, these visual materials are working to legitimize particular forms of labor and desire, and to define the aspirations of an era. Curator: Seeing the final product is often prioritized over appreciating how the materials' sources impacted those that made them available and that labour—which is the key element. Editor: True, analyzing this artwork shows how much can be uncovered about class, gender, and historical moment from a seemingly straightforward fashion plate. Curator: Ultimately, looking at the raw materials, labour, and means of dissemination gives us a new look at "Tr\u00e8s Parisien".