Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 14 janvier 1883, 12e annee, No. 576: Jupons & Corsets (...) 1883

Editor: This is a print from 1883 titled "Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille" and its author is anonymous. It's made of ink and watercolour on paper and it illustrates two women wearing different dresses. I'm struck by how constrained they look, despite the apparent opulence of their garments. What's your take on it? Curator: That sense of constraint is palpable, isn't it? On the surface, this seems like a simple fashion plate. However, these dresses are cultural texts. Consider the socio-political position of women in 1883. How might these garments reflect or even enforce those societal limitations? Think about the layers, the tight corsets, and the emphasis on presentation and domesticity. Editor: I see what you mean! The fashion isn’t just about looking pretty. The corsets particularly send a very restrictive message. How did these clothes define women's roles? Curator: Precisely! How could a woman actively participate in a rapidly industrialising society, when they were physically restricted? And look closer: Who decides which garments are à la mode? What system is at play that sets standards for beauty and propriety, and who profits from this system? Editor: It's wild to think about it. This piece then captures women who perform the requirements for acceptance in 1883 in the Western World. This wasn't by chance. Curator: Exactly, and it highlights the expectations placed on women's appearances in the late 19th century, which became powerful social forces. Editor: So, a seemingly innocent fashion plate becomes a mirror reflecting broader societal control, revealing an interplay between gender, class, and power in the Gilded Age. That gives me a lot to think about. Thank you. Curator: And it encourages us to examine how similar forces might still shape contemporary ideas surrounding beauty, fashion, and identity. Food for thought, indeed.