Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 4 février 1883, 12e annee, No. 579 : Jupons & Corsets (...) 1883

This fashion plate, printed in 1883, features two women adorned in the latest Parisian styles. Note the abundance of lace and the strategic use of ribbons, recurring motifs that speak to a long history of adornment. Consider the ribbons: they are not merely decorative; they constrict the female form, cinching waists to achieve the fashionable silhouette. Such binding echoes the swaddling of infants, a practice rooted in the primal need for security, yet here, it’s transposed onto the adult female, suggesting a societal desire to mold and control. These ribbons remind me of the "fasciae" used in ancient times – strips of cloth to bind wounds, that later became symbols of power and authority in ancient Rome. The recurrence of these motifs speaks to a deep-seated psychological desire to control and be controlled. The very act of binding, whether for protection or constraint, resonates across centuries, highlighting the complex interplay between adornment and power. The image becomes a mirror, reflecting the enduring tensions within the human psyche and the cyclical nature of cultural expression.