Journal des Demoiselles, 1880, No. 4272 : Toilettes d'amazones (...) 1880

This fashion plate, titled Journal des Demoiselles, was created by P. Deferneville in 1880 using a combination of engraving and hand-coloring. These processes were common in the production of printed images at the time, and allowed for the relatively quick reproduction of images. The fashion plate showcases the latest trends in women's equestrian wear, with great attention to the cut of the garments and the rendering of the textiles. The image captures a moment of leisure and affluence, but it also speaks to the complex economics of the fashion industry in the 19th century, which employed many people. Consider the labor that went into producing not just the print itself, but the garments depicted. The skilled dressmakers, seamstresses, and textile workers who transformed raw materials into fashionable attire are not visible, but they were critical to the image's existence. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain a richer understanding of the cultural and economic forces that shaped this image, challenging distinctions between fashion as mere surface appearance and as a complex reflection of social and economic relationships.