La Mode, 5 avril 1834, Pl. 366 : Chapeau de crépe doublé-Robes (...) 1834

This fashion plate, made by Jean-Denis Nargeot in 1834, demonstrates the contemporary taste for crepe, silk, and wool. The print shows us not only the designs, but also gives a sense of their materiality. The texture of crepe— achieved by tightly twisting fibers and then weaving them— suggests the soft drape of the hat. The dresses are made of satin and wool. Both were luxury materials, yet both were increasingly produced by machine at this time. This is a moment when global trade routes were opening up. What does this mean for the women who wore them? Did they care about the conditions under which these textiles were produced? By thinking about the context of the design, we are able to understand how seemingly disparate objects and events are intertwined. It encourages us to consider the relationship between art, production, and wider social issues.