Très Parisien, 1923, No 10: 14.- DISCUSSION. - En marocain imprimé... 1923

This anonymous fashion illustration, *Très Parisien*, was made in 1923, probably with pen, ink, and colored pencil. I see a couple of gals standing around in flapper dresses, maybe gabbing about the latest trends. There's a wonderful flatness to the picture plane, like early Matisse, and an economy of line and color. The artist really knew how to balance detail with areas of blank space. I’m picturing the illustrator working quickly, maybe even on a train, capturing the feeling of the moment, a snapshot of Parisian style. Did they labor over the details, or let the image emerge organically? The dresses themselves become a kind of language; one dress featuring Egyptian motifs, another is a Moroccan print. As a painter, I love seeing how different artists use patterns to create a feeling, a mood. It’s like they are saying: “Here’s how I see the world, here’s how I want you to see it too.” It's an invitation to keep the conversation going.