Toujours Chic Les Deshabillés, Hiver 1921-1922: Dolitta 1921 - 1922

This fashion plate, ‘Dolitta’, was made in 1921 or 1922 by G-P. Joumard, using pen and ink, with stenciling in gouache, on paper. The drawing shows a slender woman wearing a dress made of mauve silk crepe, with a tulle collar, brocaded and metallicized, and a black satin train. The focus here is very much on materials, in line with the explosion of luxury fashion in Paris at this time. Advances in industrial production meant that these specialized textiles were increasingly available, though still exclusive. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has used the stencil technique to evoke the sumptuousness of the garment. The metallic highlights add to the sense of luxury, even decadence. Of course, a drawing like this is only half the story, as it would have taken teams of skilled seamstresses to bring the design to life. But it's precisely this combination of artistry and craft that made Paris the center of the fashion world.