Journal des Demoiselles et Petit Courrier des Dames Réunis, 1 août 1887, No. 4671: Costumes et Confections (...) 1887

This fashion plate was published in Paris in 1887, offering a snapshot of late-19th-century style. It’s made through printmaking, a process that allows for mass production and wide distribution. The material of the print itself, paper, is relatively inexpensive, in contrast to the luxurious textiles and elaborate embellishments depicted. Think of all the labor involved in creating these garments: the spinning of thread, weaving of fabric, cutting, sewing, embroidery, and trimming. Each dress represents countless hours of work. The print acts as a promotional tool, fueling consumer desire and demand for fashionable goods. It highlights the relationship between art, commerce, and the burgeoning fashion industry, which employed countless workers at all levels of society. By focusing on the material and processes represented here, we realize that this image is not just a pretty picture, but a window into the economic and social realities of its time.