Cendrillon, 1866, No. 36 : Journal des petites Demoiselles... 1866

This is "Cendrillon," number 36 from the Journal des petites Demoiselles, published in Paris in 1866. This fashion plate, like many others from the era, offers us a glimpse into the rigid social structures that governed gender, age, and class during the Second Empire. The emphasis on clothing as a marker of identity is striking. Each figure, from the young girl to the women, is meticulously styled to reflect her respective role. Consider the layers of fabric, the restrictive corsets, and the elaborate embellishments that define femininity within a very narrow scope. The figures seem like dolls. This piece speaks to the expectations placed on women and girls to embody ideals of beauty, domesticity, and social standing. It's a world where appearance dictates worth. Consider how such images shaped not only the fashion of the time, but also the lived experiences and self-perceptions of those who consumed them.