Très Parisien, Juin 1933, No. 7 : En mer.- A gauche, robe de plag (...)

Curator: Let’s have a look at “Très Parisien, Juin 1933, No. 7: En mer," a print and drawing from 1933, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. What are your first thoughts? Editor: Immediately, I'm picturing a high-society seaside soiree, like something straight out of a Fitzgerald novel. There's a playful energy and yet a certain elegance. It makes me think of crisp linen and salty breezes. Curator: Indeed. Fashion magazines of the period served not just as guides to dress but also as barometers of broader social changes and aspirations. Consider how art deco motifs are integrated – clean lines, geometric patterns, reflecting a desire for modernity. Editor: Exactly! Look at the way the figures are stylized – those elongated bodies, the bold colors – it’s pure Art Deco chic. There’s a graphic quality here, an illustration meant to be seen and aspired to. I almost want to dive into this scene myself, perhaps with a cocktail in hand! Curator: Magazines such as "Très Parisien" aimed to project France as a center for luxury goods. They showcased leisure activities of a particular class and offered a dream to middle-class consumers aspiring for high status and elegant living. Editor: It's clever, the way the image tells that story. The "genre painting" aspect is really working with the cityscapes visible behind them to give the entire artwork some perspective on modern life at the time it was made. It speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Curator: I agree. Fashion magazines provided both image and text and therefore presented very constructed versions of reality for the audience. Editor: Makes you wonder what that reality was *really* like, doesn’t it? A snapshot in time, perhaps a dreamy or idealistic one, and full of fun details. It's a great blend of aspiration and artistic expression. Curator: Ultimately, examining fashion plates helps to investigate not just trends in attire, but also social attitudes. Editor: Absolutely. This glimpse into stylish beach life evokes not just a moment in fashion, but a whole ethos. I feel a longing to be there!