Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 1, Pl. 1: Le madras jaune / Coiffure pour le soir 1920

This fashion plate by Charles Martin, called 'Le madras jaune', or 'The Yellow Madras', was made in 1920 for the Gazette du Bon Ton. You know, fashion plates like this are a real art form. It's all about the lines, right? Look how they define the figure, so elegant and precise. I can imagine Martin, with his pen, carefully etching each line, trying to capture the essence of Parisian style. And then the colors – that muted palette with just a pop of yellow, so chic, so very French. I wonder what Martin was thinking as he created this image. Was he trying to capture a specific mood or feeling? I bet he was inspired by other artists and designers of the time, like Erté or Georges Lepape. Ultimately, this fashion plate reminds us that artists are always in conversation with each other, building on the ideas and innovations of those who came before. Each mark holds intention, but the overall image allows for endless interpretations. That's what makes it so compelling!