Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 5, pag. 157: La Palette des Dames 1914

E. Ayres created "Gazette du Bon Ton, 1914 - No. 5, pag. 157: La Palette des Dames" using a printmaking process. The Gazette du Bon Ton, a short-lived but influential French fashion magazine, was published between 1912-1925. Published on the eve of the First World War, the magazine offered an escapist fantasy for the wealthy at a time of increasing social unrest in Europe. Ayres's print speaks to the cultural moment by reflecting the intersection of fashion, art, and female identity during the early 20th century. In the print, the text makes many references to women and the arts, such as mentioning conferences in Sorbonne, and the decoration of faces following the traditions of Monomotapa. The Gazette promoted an elitist vision of femininity and beauty, reflective of a society on the brink of dramatic change. The reference to women and their artistic capabilities challenges traditional representations, envisioning new narratives of female expression and empowerment.