Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens, 1914, No. 149: Robe de bal (...) 1914

H. Robert Dammy created this pochoir print, titled "Robe de bal" in 1914 for the "Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costumes Parisiens." It depicts a woman in an elegant coral taffeta ball gown picking fruit from a tree, a basket already full at her feet. The “Journal des Dames et des Modes” was more than just a fashion magazine; it reflected the aspirations and ideals of the Parisian upper class just before the First World War. The stylized design and luxurious details speak to the era's fascination with elegance and refinement, but they also subtly hint at the social stratification of the time. Who has the leisure to pick fruit in a ball gown? Who has access to such fine clothing? By studying this artwork, alongside archival material such as fashion magazines, personal letters, and social commentary, we can gain valuable insights into the complex interplay between fashion, society, and culture in early 20th-century Paris.