Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 26 décembre 1886, 15e Année, No. 782: Etoffes de la M.on Le Houssel (...) 1886

This fashion plate was created in Paris in 1886 by A. Chaillot, showcasing the latest dress designs by M.on Le Houssel. The print's textures and tones are achieved through lithography, a process that allows for the mass production of detailed images. Consider the fabrics depicted: the crisp plaid of the leftmost dress, the soft pink stripes of the center gown, and the deep folds of the draped skirt on the right. These were all products of industrial textile manufacture, which by this time had thoroughly transformed the world of fashion. A skilled dressmaker would tailor the cloth to the wearer, crafting garments of considerable complexity. Prints such as this helped to fuel a growing culture of consumerism, with ladies' magazines spreading the word about Parisian style across the continent and beyond. It's a reminder that fashion, while seemingly frivolous, is deeply enmeshed with broader social issues of labor, class, and aspiration. So next time you are in your favorite clothing store, consider the journey your clothes have been on to get there.