Top hats 

This is Erte’s “Top Hats,” its date is unknown, and it is currently held in a private collection. Erté, born Romain de Tirtoff in Russia, became a leading figure in the Art Deco movement, and his works often graced the covers of Harper's Bazaar. Here, a line of men in top hats recedes into the distance. The woman, adorned with pearls and fur, stands as the focal point, disrupting the uniformity of the male figures. The contrast between the sharply dressed men and the elaborately dressed woman speaks to gendered expectations of the era. Erté’s designs often reflect the changing roles of women in the early 20th century, portraying them as glamorous and independent. Consider the emotional tone; there's a sense of sophistication, perhaps even detachment. Erté once said, "I never cared about fashion; I was always interested in style." "Top Hats" reflects that sentiment, capturing a timeless elegance, even as it subtly questions the social dynamics of its time.