Art - Goût - Beauté, Feuillets de l' élégance féminine, Mai 1929, No. 105, 9e Année, p. 22 1929

Editor: This watercolor illustration, from a 1929 issue of "Feuillets de l'élégance féminine," features designs by R. Drivon. I find its simple elegance quite striking. It's got this quiet, poised mood. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, yes, Art Deco at its most coy. To me, it’s a visual whisper of aspiration and modernity. Notice how Drivon isn't merely showcasing frocks, but sculpting a particular attitude with those lines, capturing a kind of carefree yet contained spirit? How do you interpret their positioning and the minimalist background? Editor: I see what you mean. The spare background focuses your attention, making the clothes more prominent, and the poses almost seem like they’re in conversation. Do you think there's any cultural context we're missing, some hidden symbolism? Curator: Always! The Art Deco period, especially the late 20s, danced with contrasts: societal constraint and explosive freedom; tradition versus technology. The women in this image seem to tiptoe between them, don't they? Those cloche hats suggest modesty, while the streamlined dresses imply daring… almost like a rebellious secret! And you, do you feel that tension coming through? Editor: Definitely. It makes me consider how fashion, even in something as 'simple' as an illustration, is really saying something deeper. Curator: Precisely! It reminds me of how Coco Chanel aimed for clothes to give women a chance to be themselves and embrace modernity. We could surmise R. Drivon had a similar aspiration in mind, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely, I will certainly look at these illustrations with different eyes from now on. Thanks!