La Mode Illustrée, 1883, No. 49 : Toilettes de Mme Coussinet (...) 1883

This fashion plate, made by Charles Rabouille in 1883, was printed on paper using a combination of engraving and hand-coloring. These processes are a far cry from our digital age. The plate gives us a glimpse into the fashion world of late 19th-century Paris. The material of clothing dictates the overall aesthetic, with layers of fabric and trimmings defining the silhouette and social status of the wearer. Each gown represents countless hours of labor, from weaving the cloth to tailoring the complex designs. The dresses are not only beautiful objects, but also evidence of the hierarchical social structures in place at the time. Consider how the proliferation of fashion magazines like La Mode Illustrée fueled the rise of consumer culture. The act of buying clothing became a way to participate in the latest trends and express individual identity within the confines of social expectation. This print reveals how art, fashion, and commerce intertwined, blurring the lines between aspiration, artistry and labor.