Très Parisien, 1923, No 8: 17.- NAÏADE. - Ce manteau de satin vert Nil... 1923

Here is an anonymous fashion plate from 1923, made using line and colour. What does it mean to invent a garment on paper? I can imagine the artist hovering over this piece, trying to bring the figure into being. The image almost feels like it has emerged through error, each mark carrying the memory of a past decision. Look at how the soft, cool green of the coat contrasts with the pink of the cherry blossom. What kind of statement is the artist trying to make? I keep thinking about other artists such as Sonia Delaunay who were working with textiles at this time, using bold colours and geometric patterns. It’s exciting to consider that artists from different periods, working across different styles, are ultimately in conversation with one another. Making art is a process, and the meanings we find are always subject to change!