Très Parisien, 1923, No 1: CHATAIGNE. - Manteau de velours... 1923

This fashion plate, "Très Parisien, 1923, No 1: CHATAIGNE", was made anonymously, and depicts a design for a velvet coat trimmed with beaver fur. The image is a lithograph, a printmaking technique based on the simple chemical principle that oil and water do not mix. The design shows a very particular image of luxury, one inextricably tied to labor. The fur, velvet, and ribbons denote wealth, and the skilled work needed to make them. The coat’s plush texture and deep color speak to the fineness of the materials, but also to the exploitation of animals and the many factory workers who spun the velvet. These fashion plates like this played an important role in promoting consumerism and desire in the early 20th century. They weren't just about the artistry of design, but also about the social hierarchies of the time and the mechanics of production behind desirable goods. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider the relationship between fashion, labor, and the material world.