La Mode, 17 novembre 1832, Pl. 265 : Coiffure de M Sergent (...) 1832

Georges Jacques Gatine created this print entitled "La Mode" in 1832. It offers us a glimpse into the fashion of the French elite during the July Monarchy. The print depicts two women showcasing the latest styles. It is a moment when fashion became increasingly commercialized and circulated through print media. The elaborate hairstyles and dresses speak to the restrictive, gendered expectations of women's appearances during this era. Consider the layers of artifice involved. The clothing's function is to construct an image of femininity that aligns with aristocratic ideals. Simultaneously, the print itself perpetuates these ideals by presenting them as desirable and fashionable. We might also reflect on the labor involved in producing these garments. It highlights the complex social hierarchies of the time. It invites us to consider the experiences of those whose work made such displays of affluence possible. "La Mode" serves as both a mirror reflecting the values of its time and a lens through which we can examine its social and economic underpinnings.