Toujours Chic Les Robes, Hiver 1921-1922: Manola 1921 - 1922

Editor: This drawing, "Toujours Chic Les Robes, Hiver 1921-1922: Manola," by G-P. Joumard, held at the Rijksmuseum, presents a vibrant fashion sketch using what appears to be watercolor and ink. I’m immediately struck by the somewhat austere expression of the figure juxtaposed with the whimsical, almost floral pattern of the skirt. How do you interpret this tension? Curator: That's an astute observation. The artist is playing with contrasts that speak volumes about the era. Consider the circles adorning the skirt: do these simplified sun or flower-like forms feel reminiscent of other imagery from that period, perhaps referencing ancient motifs made modern? Editor: I can see that; it almost feels like a stylized take on ancient sunburst patterns, but definitely streamlined. Curator: Precisely. Post World War I, designers looked to both the future and the past, attempting to reconstruct a sense of order. The "Manola" sketch encapsulates this tension. Note the starkness of the white bodice in contrast to the darker skirt – a visual representation of restraint versus expressive flourish. Also, what cultural associations come to mind when considering the name 'Manola' alongside the Parisian title? Editor: Hmm…Manola definitely evokes Spanish culture, a contrast to the French title. Was the designer perhaps hinting at the global appeal of Parisian fashion, blending different cultural elements? Curator: Exactly! By integrating symbolic elements and contrasting cultural references, Joumard invites the viewer to contemplate not only fashion but the evolving identity of women and cultural exchange during that pivotal era. Fashion operates like visual cultural memory, re-interpreting across geographies and temporalities. Editor: That is fascinating! I now see the piece less as a simple fashion sketch, and more as a commentary on a shifting world, mirroring cultural adaptation. Curator: And I hope that the next time you look at it, you are reminded about how imagery carries different, yet consistent, symbolic meaning, as trends pass.