Femina, 1 Mai 1914, 14e Année, nr. 19: pagina 250: à la recouverture de Longchamp: Capes e manteaux 1914

This advertisement for capes and coats appeared in ‘Femina’ magazine in Paris, May 1914, and was made by an anonymous artist. The drama of it! Four models stare out, each with a unique silhouette created by the cut and drape of their garments. I think of the artist, painstakingly rendering each fold of fabric, the play of light and shadow across the surfaces. This reminds me how fashion illustration can be an art form in itself, demanding acute observation skills, and a deep understanding of form and composition. The artist isn’t just documenting clothing; they’re creating a mood, a feeling, inviting us into a world of elegance and sophistication. It's a real skill to suggest the tactile qualities of these garments – the weight of the fabric, the way it moves and flows. I am in awe of the artist's ability to convey so much with just a few lines and gradations of tone. The whole image is like a conversation, ideas bouncing back and forth across time.