Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 4 novembre 1883, 12e annee, No. 618: Jupons & Corsets (...) 1883

Curator: This print is titled "Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille," published in 1883. The lithograph offers a snapshot of contemporary fashion. Editor: My first impression is that the colours are just delectable! That saturated blue of the gown on the right contrasts gorgeously with the stripes and neutral tones of the outfit to its left. Curator: It is a good example of how fashion magazines operated as instruments of cultural instruction, dictating tastes and societal roles. Consider its audience and what such images might have suggested about class aspirations and femininity. Editor: Absolutely, but let's not forget the materiality! Look at the textural richness rendered by the lithographic process, those detailed pleats, folds, and decorative elements give us so much information about clothing production at the time. Imagine the labour behind achieving such structured silhouettes! Curator: Indeed. The print provides insights into how garments were made and consumed within specific economic and social frameworks. Its distribution also tells us about evolving consumerism. The magazine itself served a performative role. Editor: Yes, and what is also key to remember here is this wasn't merely artistic expression – this was the fashion industry driving demand and shaping taste. A powerful reminder of how seemingly 'frivolous' objects encode substantial social and economic stories. The print shows not just pretty dresses but how society shapes bodies! Curator: Very true. This print reveals the complex interplay between art, industry, and social structures, making it more than a mere illustration. Editor: Exactly, a piece that unveils labour, social expectations, and industry tactics of the 1880s. It highlights the interconnectedness between fashion, labour, and culture.