Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 15 juillet 1817, (1662) 1817

Pierre Charles Baquoy created this print titled 'Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien' in 1817. It was a period defined by the rise of fashion as a marker of social status and cultural identity, especially in post-revolutionary France. The print depicts a young girl, her dress and wide-brimmed hat reflecting the sartorial tastes of the Parisian elite. Yet, such images also speak to the complex position of women and girls during the 19th century. Encoded within the image is a tension between innocence and performance. We can ask ourselves: How were girls' identities shaped by the expectations of elegance and propriety? Prints such as these offer a glimpse into the visual culture that influenced and reflected gendered identities. They remind us of the emotional and social worlds inhabited by those who both consumed and were consumed by the gaze of fashion. They also suggest avenues for future exploration of how the representation of children in fashion intersects with broader narratives of class, aspiration, and the construction of identity.