Elegantia, of tijdschrift van mode, luxe en smaak voor dames, Oktober 1808, No. 59: Coeffure en Cheveux lisses... 1808

This fashion plate, titled Elegantia, was printed in October 1808, and shows us the stylish silhouette of the era. It's made from a combination of etching and engraving, with added hand-coloring. The etching process would have allowed for a relatively quick rendering of the overall design. The finer details, like the woman's features, and the delicate lines of the fabrics, were then added through engraving. These processes are highly skilled, reflecting the labor involved in disseminating fashion to a broad audience. Then the application of color by hand added to its appeal. Notice the emphasis on flowing lines, especially in the cut of the dress, described here as ‘en tulle’. Although seemingly simple, this reflects the rise of industrial textile production, and global trade networks capable of supplying lightweight cotton from India at an affordable price. So, while on the surface, this print celebrates elegance, it also speaks volumes about early capitalism. It shows us how fashion became increasingly accessible, but at a cost – a world reshaped by labor and commerce.