Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, 1922, Pl. 5 : Aux Courses 1922 - 1923

Fernand Siméon made this print, Modes et Manières d'Aujourd'hui, in 1922. It’s a stylish snapshot of its time, all about capturing the essence of contemporary fashion and manners. What strikes me first is the flatness, the graphic quality where colours sit side-by-side. Look closely at how Siméon builds up this image, like a collage of different textures and patterns. There’s something so satisfying about the way the shapes lock together, creating a playful push and pull between the figures. See how the pattern on the dress, with its delicate, star-like motifs, contrasts with the solid blocks of color in the background. The colour palette feels fresh, a little dissonant, but oh so chic. You could say that this print is part of an ongoing conversation. It sits on a continuum with artists such as Édouard Manet or Edgar Degas, who also explored the shifting dynamics of modern life. It embraces the ambiguity and ever-changing nature of fashion and society.