Mdme. Savarin, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This photographic print by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company showcases Mdme. Savarin as part of their "Actresses" series, meant to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Note the lace collar, a motif that whispers of delicate craftsmanship and societal status. Lace, since the Renaissance, has been a symbol of wealth and refinement, adorning royals and elites across Europe. Think of Queen Elizabeth I, whose elaborate lace ruffs signified power and opulence. Yet, consider how this symbol has been democratized over time; from exclusive royal wear to an element in bourgeois fashion, lace tells a tale of evolving social structures and the changing accessibility of luxury. This garment subtly engages our collective memory, stirring associations of beauty and sophistication, revealing how cultural symbols evolve and persist.