La Mode Pratique, 1894, 3e année, No. 49 : Robe de diner en soie pékiné (...) 1894

This fashion plate, made in 1894 by Michel Berthaud, presents a woman in a striped dinner gown of 'pékiné' silk. The dress features exaggerated puffed sleeves and a contrasting red belt. This silhouette, with its emphasis on the waist and amplified upper body, echoes historical ideals of feminine beauty found in earlier eras, such as the Renaissance. The puffed sleeves, grand and imposing, remind us of similar styles from the past. Consider the 1830s, when sleeves reached similar proportions, symbolizing status and elegance. But even further back, we recall the monumental forms in ancient Greek sculptures. These shapes trigger collective memories, subconscious echoes of beauty and power from different epochs. Such motifs are never truly new; instead, they are reborn, transformed, and imbued with new meanings in different contexts. These recurring symbols in fashion and art engage our subconscious on a profound level, evoking intense emotional states tied to our cultural heritage. The image becomes a powerful force, connecting us to the cyclical nature of history.