Très Parisien, 1923, No 8: 15.- GOURMANDISES. - Charmante est cette simple robe... 1923

Here is the Rijksmuseum’s 1923 fashion plate, Très Parisien, No 8. The artist behind this lithograph, whoever they may be, has really captured the glamour and the gourmandise of Paris in the ‘20s. It is a totally stylish image, rendered with flat colour, clear lines, and strong contrasts. Look at how the artist has depicted each figure differently, using contrasting patterns and shapes to define the details of the garments and the unique characters of each woman. They are both holding cake, right? Is that why the print is called 'Gourmandises'? I wonder, did the artist work for a fashion house? Were they sitting in a café, sketching people passing by, imagining all the fancy parties and secret rendezvous? I mean, it is so beautifully done, with this air of confidence and sophistication, that is so... Parisian. Fashion plates like these are part of an ongoing conversation about style and beauty, inspiring designers and artists alike, and the public, and shaping our perceptions of culture and identity.