Journal des Dames et des Modes, editie Frankfurt 1828, Costumes Parisiens, (37) 1828

Friedrich Ludwig Neubauer designed this fashion plate, printed in Frankfurt in 1828, showcasing Parisian styles. Note the hats adorned with flowers and ribbons; these aren't mere decoration. Flowers, since antiquity, have symbolized renewal, youth, and fleeting beauty, mirroring the ephemeral nature of fashion itself. Ribbons, often associated with binding and connection, add another layer, perhaps alluding to social ties and adornment that ties us to our cultural values. Consider Botticelli’s "Primavera," where Flora scatters blossoms, embodying spring’s regenerative power. Here, these Parisian ladies, crowned with floral arrangements, evoke a similar sense of vitality. These symbols echo through time, resurfacing in different guises, yet always carrying echoes of their ancient origins.