Petit Courrier des Dames, 10 septembre 1828, No. 54 / 581 : Berret de crèpe orné de marabous... 1828

This print, from the fashion periodical Petit Courrier des Dames, was made in Paris in 1828, by an anonymous artist. It presents various hat designs using stipple engraving, a technique that uses many tiny dots to create subtle gradations of tone, which are then delicately hand-colored. Crepe, marabou feathers, Brussels lace – the materials featured here speak to the intense labor involved in the fashion industry of the time. Each hat represents hours of work: from the cultivation of silkworms for crepe, the trapping of exotic birds for feathers, to the intricate handwork required for fine lace. These aspirational images showcase the artistry of skilled artisans. But they also hint at the social dynamics of the time. The Petit Courrier des Dames was aimed at an affluent readership. These designs would have only been accessible to those with significant financial means. So, in considering this image, we can appreciate both the creativity involved, and the wider economic conditions which made it possible.