La Mode Pratique1894, 3e année, No. 51 : Robe de Satin vert (...). 1894

Michel Berthaud created this print of two women's fashion designs for the journal 'La Mode Pratique' in France, 1894. This publication reveals the increasing commercialization of fashion, where dressmaking patterns were made available to a wider audience than ever before. The image creates meaning through visual codes: the high-necked, long-sleeved gowns suggest modesty and respectability, while the use of expensive fabrics like satin denotes luxury and status. France at this time was a society undergoing rapid industrialization, and the rise of a wealthy middle class created a demand for fashionable clothing that would signal social advancement. But alongside such journals, there were also counter-currents in art and design in 1890's France, as many artists and critics critiqued the culture of consumerism. Understanding this image requires close attention to institutional context and its moment in social history. We might consult primary source materials such as fashion magazines, personal letters, and other printed matter to gain a fuller understanding of the cultural values and social conditions that shaped its production.