Petit Courrier des Dames, 5 février 1827, No. 35 / 447: 1 Berret éxécuté par M.r Croizat... 1827

This fashion plate, a lithograph from 1827, presents Parisian headwear. Notice the berets and bonnets adorned with plumes, ribbons, and complex folds of fabric. These symbols of status and taste speak volumes about the era’s emphasis on outward appearance. Feathers, like those seen here, have long been associated with power and divinity, adorning ancient Egyptian headdresses and the helmets of classical warriors. Think of the Greek god Hermes, whose winged helmet signified his role as a messenger. Yet, how different are these early symbols to the 19th-century Parisian woman who adopts these plumes as a fashion accessory? The unconscious desire to connect with primal, even animalistic power is apparent. These fashions elicit an intense response, tapping into desires for beauty, status, and transformation that resonate through time. This is not merely fashion; it is the reincarnation of primal instincts.