Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1781, oo 219 : Coëffure dite à la Princess (...) 1781

This fashion plate, made by Nicolas Dupin in 1781, is a printed etching, delicately hand-colored. Look closely and you can see the labor-intensive techniques of the era. The print shows an aristocratic woman sporting the latest hairstyle: the "Coëffure dite à la Princess," which literally translates to "hairstyle called to the princess". The hair is built up into an elaborate confection, ornamented with flowers and feathers. These luxurious materials would have been sourced from far and wide, reflecting France's extensive trade networks. It's important to remember how much work went into this image and its subject. A skilled artist, like Dupin, created the original etching, while others would have been employed to painstakingly add color by hand. The cost of these materials and the army of hairdressers needed to recreate this style meant that it was only available to a select few. This image is an emblem of conspicuous consumption, class division and the labor practices required to produce it.