Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français 1777-1778, D 23: Coëffure d'un Soldat recruteur (...) 1777 - 1778

This fashion plate is from the *Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français*, published in Paris between 1777 and 1778, offering us a glimpse into the elaborate styles of the French aristocracy before the Revolution. The print, showcasing four distinct hairstyles, reflects a society obsessed with status and appearance. The most extravagant, "Coëffure d'un Soldat recruteur," features a towering creation adorned with military symbols. It’s a parody that exposes the cultural obsession with military might and the lengths to which fashion would go to mirror societal power structures. Notice how women’s hairstyles were given names reflecting current events and social trends. These elaborate styles, achieved with the help of wigs, extensions, and copious amounts of pomade, speak volumes about the gendered expectations of the time, with women's identities often defined by their outward appearance. This print is a sharp reminder of the social and political tensions simmering beneath the surface of 18th-century France, capturing a moment of intense cultural self-awareness just before the storm of revolution.