Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Juni 1809, No. 80 : Coeffure en Bourrelet... 1809

This fashion plate was made in June 1809, and published in the journal Elegantia, which promoted fashion, luxury and taste for women. It features a hand-colored print, likely an engraving or etching with added watercolor. The image showcases a woman’s dress, hairstyle, and accessories. All of these elements demanded significant labor: from textile production of her gown to the embroidery and adornment of her hair and shoes. It’s easy to overlook the sheer amount of work required to produce even seemingly simple garments, like this dress. The labor of enslaved people to cultivate and process cotton in the Americas was a key factor in making fashionable garments affordable, especially the diaphanous white cotton dresses that were all the rage. Paying close attention to the materials and methods of production, we can appreciate the social and economic forces woven into this image. Fashion plates were a key element of the modern fashion industry. This one reflects both the aspirations and the exploitative practices that underpinned the rise of consumer culture.