Très Parisien, 1926, No. 8 : 6: Créations Simon Schwartz (...) 1926

This fashion plate, from 1926, is advertising Simon Schwartz's luxurious creations. The piece is made up of simplified shapes, and graphic patterns, using muted shades of grey, brown, and tan. I'm imagining the original artist, maybe perched at a small desk in a busy studio, quickly rendering these figures. They’ve captured the essence of modern elegance with just a few lines. Look at the sweeping curve of the fur coat on the right, with that exaggerated collar. It’s so sumptuous; you can almost feel its weight! And then there's the figure on the left, shrouded in a cape, a mysterious elegance about her, like a film noir star. The background is an industrial pattern that gives off a sense of modernity. The composition and colour palette remind me of the graphic style of Art Deco posters. I can see a connection with Tamara de Lempicka’s portraits too. It’s as if the artist is saying, "this is the new modern woman, chic and slightly aloof". It’s great to see this ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity.