Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 11 septembre 1881, 10e année, No. 506: Toilettes de Melles Vidal (...) 1881

This is an image from the French fashion magazine, “Revue de la Mode”, dated September 11, 1881, and made by P. Deferneville. The image depicts the latest Parisian fashions for women and children. During this period, fashion magazines such as "Revue de la Mode" played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating ideals of femininity and social status. The elaborate dresses with their corseted silhouettes and ornate detailing reflected the values of the upper classes. Clothing served as a visual marker of social identity, with the latest styles signaling one's access to wealth, leisure, and cultural capital. The magazine itself functioned as an institution, reinforcing existing hierarchies by dictating trends and cultivating a culture of aspiration. To better understand the significance of this image, it's helpful to consult sources, such as fashion history archives, social commentaries from the period, and studies of the magazine industry. By examining fashion within its broader social and economic context, we can gain insights into the complex interplay between art, commerce, and identity in 19th-century France.