Journal des Demoiselles, 1 juin 1894, No. 4992: Toilettes de Mme Gradoz (...) 1894

P. Deferneville created this fashion plate, entitled 'Journal des Demoiselles', in France in 1894, at a time of significant change for women. The image presents three women in elaborate dresses that epitomize late 19th-century bourgeois fashion. This publication reflects the increasing consumerism and the rise of fashion as a marker of social status. Yet, it also hints at the constraints placed on women. The dresses, while beautiful, were restrictive. Corsets, like those advertised at the bottom of the plate, defined the era. "Fashion is the mirror of history," as Coco Chanel once said. This Journal, in its own way, is also a mirror. What emotions does this image evoke in you? Does it speak of aspiration, luxury, or confinement? While the image sells a dream of elegance and refinement, it also silently acknowledges the limited roles available to women of the time. This artwork serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between beauty, identity, and societal expectations.