L'Art de la Mode, 1880 : Octobre 1880

Paul Dujardin created this print in 1880 for ‘L'Art de la Mode’, a French fashion magazine. It depicts a fashionable woman in an elaborate blue dress, strolling in a Parisian park. Fashion plates like this one offered a glimpse into the aspirations of the haute bourgeoisie during the Third Republic. They reveal how clothing became a marker of social status and a tool for self-expression in a rapidly changing society. The dress's ornate design, complete with intricate gold detailing and a voluminous bustle, signifies wealth and adherence to the latest trends. Yet the setting, a public park, suggests the importance of being seen and participating in the social life of the city. Understanding this image requires us to look at the broader context of the fashion industry and its influence on French culture. Magazines, department stores, and advertising played a crucial role in shaping consumer desires and reinforcing social hierarchies. Art historians delve into these sources to reveal the complex interplay between art, commerce, and identity in late 19th-century France.