Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien, 1805, An 13 (612) Grande Parure. 1805

This print, made by Horace Vernet in 1805, is an etching, delicately hand-colored. It’s taken from the Journal des Dames et des Modes, a magazine that offered Parisians the latest on what to wear. The image shows a woman in “grande parure” – formal dress. The flowing gown is eye-catching, but look closely at the lace. It's likely to be handmade, crafted by skilled lacemakers, representing hours of meticulous work. Lace was a luxury item, often associated with wealth and status. So, while the print appears to simply celebrate fashion, it also speaks to the labor that produced the textiles. Fashion prints like these fueled the textile industry and created a demand for skilled artisans who could produce high-quality fabrics and trims. By focusing on the material culture represented in the image, we can get a better understanding of the economic and social conditions that shaped the fashion industry.