Art - Goût - Beauté, Feuillets de l' élégance féminine, Juin 1932, No. 142, 12e Année, p. 5 1932

This is a page from a 1932 issue of Art-Goût-Beauté, a French fashion magazine dedicated to feminine elegance, printed with ink on paper. It showcases a design by Molyneux, featuring stylish women in tailored suits. Printed fashion plates like this one played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating style trends in the early 20th century. The printing process – likely photogravure, allowing for fine details and tonal range – was itself a technology of desire, offering a glimpse into the world of haute couture for a wider audience. The magazine becomes a conduit for aspiration and consumption, reflecting the societal emphasis on appearance and status. Consider the labor involved in the production of both the garments and the magazine itself. From textile mills to printing presses, a whole system of industry is visualized in this image. Ultimately, this fashion plate exists at the intersection of art, commerce, and culture, blurring the lines between creative expression and economic exchange.