Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1912, Costumes Parisiens, no. 6: Robe à Panier (...) 1912

Francisco Javier Gosé made this fashion plate in 1912 for the Journal des Dames et des Modes with ink and watercolour. Look at the fine lines and delicate washes of colour that bring this stylish lady and her tiny dog to life. Imagine Gosé at his drawing board, carefully rendering the details of the "Robe à Panier" - that cafe au lait-coloured dress - with its interesting layered effect and fringed hem. It is so elegant, so chic, it makes you wonder, what was it like to be a fashionable Parisian woman at this time? And how did they manage those teeny dogs? I love the way he captured the textures of the dress, from the smooth satin to the delicate ruffles around the neck. You can almost feel the weight of the fabric as it drapes around her figure. Fashion plates like this were part of a visual conversation about beauty, taste, and modernity. Artists looked to each other, riffing on ideas, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what was considered stylish. And here we are, still looking, still talking, still getting ideas!