Toujours Chic Les Deshabillés, Hiver 1921-1922 1921 - 1922

Editor: This print, "Toujours Chic Les Deshabillés, Hiver 1921-1922," is by G-P. Joumard and is in the Rijksmuseum collection. I find it incredibly stylish; what stands out to me is the Art Deco design and the subject of beauty and fashion of the 1920s. What statements do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s essential to consider this image within the context of the early 1920s. This was a period of significant social change following World War I, particularly for women. Do you think the depiction of a woman focused on her appearance signifies a new kind of feminine ideal, perhaps one more self-aware and independent? Editor: Yes, I see it. It presents an ideal, this focus on "chic-ness", even in intimate wear or *déshabillé*, implies that women are crafting and controlling how they appear, embracing new standards after the war era. Curator: Exactly. We might explore how these visual representations contributed to shifting gender roles and the commercialization of female identity. This image normalizes and elevates this pursuit of chic to the status of modern virtue. It raises interesting questions about who dictates these norms, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. The male gaze is challenged because the work suggests this stylish look for private versus public life, almost like a form of self-empowerment and declaration for only her viewing. What does "toujours chic" suggest? Always chic for herself. Curator: That's an interesting point, the female gaze toward self is definitely there. It offers insight into the evolving dynamics of women's self-perception and representation during that period. Editor: This has shown me new approaches to examining these Art Deco pieces. Curator: Precisely, let us explore these nuances, by understanding the historical and cultural forces that shaped this vision of the 1920s women's "chic".