Journal des Luxus und der Moden, 17 (...), T 4 1788

This is a page from Journal des Luxus und der Moden, a fashion magazine published in Germany in the late 18th century. It is an etching with a hand-coloured finish, made by an anonymous artist. At first glance, we see an array of elaborate women's hats, towering with feathers and ribbons. But consider the context: these magazines were more than just about fashion. They were products of a society deeply stratified by class and gender, consumed by an emerging middle class eager to emulate the aristocracy. These images helped disseminate the visual language of status. How were women positioned within this hierarchy? Did fashion empower them or confine them further? Who had access to these luxuries, and at what cost? Were these publications truly mirrors of society, or did they project a carefully curated image of wealth and privilege?