Gazette du Bon Ton, 1920 - No. 7, Croquis Pl XXXIV: Worth / Beer / Worth

Fernand Siméon’s Croquis Pl XXXIV, published in the Gazette du Bon Ton in 1920, offers a glimpse into the world of high fashion through the seemingly simple medium of printmaking. But don’t be fooled. The texture, weight and form, apparent on these garments is all brought to life by the skill of the artist’s hand, using layered lithographic techniques. Look closely at the rendering of the textiles themselves. Note the differences between the ruffles on the left, the fur trimming, and the woven textile of the coat on the right. These are not just colors on a page, but are visual representations of the labor, materials, and artistic skill that went into producing the original garments. This print, therefore, is not just a record of fashion, but a tribute to the complex network of creative practices. It collapses the distance between the fine arts, design, and craft in the world of high fashion.