Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 14 août 1887, 16e Année, No. 815: Etoffes de la M.on Le Houssel (...) 1887

Curator: This image projects a serene vision of late 19th-century bourgeois leisure, wouldn't you say? It feels effortlessly elegant. Editor: Yes, it absolutely does. This is an 1887 print from Revue de la Mode, depicting two women in meticulously detailed dresses. Note the date; late 1880s. It's intriguing how fashion plates reflect, but also subtly construct, social ideals of femininity. Curator: Immediately, the dress on the right strikes me. That strong grid pattern is visually compelling – it creates a sense of order but also highlights the curves and fullness of the skirt. The parasol and the manicured greenery complement each other so well, like stage props in some sense. The print as a whole almost anticipates visual themes that will arise a decade later. Editor: I agree, that structured yet whimsical check design paired with a bow gives me a kind of Alice in Wonderland vibe. It speaks to the cultural moment where playful escapism found its way even into day wear. Consider, though, the dress on the left with its more ornamental approach – lavender over lace evokes established notions of luxury and delicacy. Curator: Definitely a fascinating contrast. Both are positioned against an idyllic landscape featuring classical architecture; this creates an interesting dialogue between manufactured domesticity and imagined pastoral ideals, popular with French elite at the time. Notice, neither figure directly engages us. They are poised, not quite looking at one another. Editor: The gaze becomes an object to ponder: Who are they for? Are these objects intended for viewing by potential suitors or by women sizing up fashion options and aspiration? This piece exists as part of a much wider fashion magazine enterprise geared towards women. Curator: Exactly! It's a complex social tool operating on multiple levels, not merely an image but rather a coded symbol shaping female identity in an era undergoing profound transformation. Editor: So the next time you browse Instagram and ask "Who am I doing this for?" perhaps spare a thought for this print!