La Mode Illustrée, 1877, No. 46 : Toilettes de Mme Delaunay (...) 1877

Huard created this fashion plate, titled *La Mode Illustrée*, in 1877, showcasing Parisian fashion during the late 19th century. As industrialization increased, so did the rise of the middle class. The rise in disposable income created a culture of consumerism and commodification of women's bodies in fashion. The image depicts two women in elaborate, tailored gowns. The woman on the left is adorned in deep greens and purples, while the other is wearing rich burgundy. These gowns, designed by Mme Delaunay, signify the importance of fashion in defining social status. The garments’ elaborate details—the lace, the ribbons, the tailored fit—speak volumes about the roles women were expected to fulfill. While fashion could be a form of personal expression, it also enforced rigid expectations. The emotional labor required to maintain these appearances, from managing corsets to navigating social expectations, was a daily reality for women of this era. The fashion plate captures the complexities of identity, class, and the evolving role of women in a rapidly changing society.