Le Follet Courrier des Salons, Lady's Magazine, 1833, No. 270: Chapeau en paill (...) 1833

This fashion plate was made in London in 1833, published in Le Follet, a popular Lady's Magazine. The print depicts two women modeling the latest styles, but it also reveals a great deal about the fashion industry in the 19th century. The original would have been made through a combination of engraving and hand-coloring, both highly skilled processes. Fashion plates were designed to showcase new designs and sell them to consumers. They were a form of advertising, and they were also a reflection of the social and economic realities of the time. The Industrial Revolution had made it possible to produce textiles and clothing on a large scale, and fashion plates helped to fuel the demand for these goods. They also helped to create a sense of aspiration, as women from all walks of life sought to emulate the styles worn by the upper classes. Fashion plates like this one were thus both an art form and a form of commerce. By studying them closely, we can learn a great deal about the materials, processes, and social context of fashion in the 19th century.