Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 13 février 1880, 9e année, No. 424: Eventails de la Parfumerie Ninon (...) 1880

This fashion plate, by E. Cheffer, was made in 1880 as an illustration for the ‘Revue de la Mode’. It was printed, likely using a lithographic process, which allowed for the relatively easy reproduction of colored images. What's fascinating here is the way the print represents the material qualities of textiles. The heavy drape of the red dress is conveyed with a few simple lines. The crispness of the lace and the sheen of the brown fabric suggest a certain lifestyle; a culture of conspicuous consumption, in which labor is seemingly absent. But of course, these dresses would have been made by someone. This image offers a tantalizing glimpse into the fashion industry of the late 19th century, and by extension, the lives of the many skilled workers who made it possible. Understanding the image therefore prompts us to remember them, and to consider the social structures that underpinned their work.