Très Parisien, 1925, No. 1, Pl. 18.-MATIN. 1925

Editor: So, here we have "Trés Parisien, 1925, No. 1, Pl. 18.-MATIN." created in 1925 by G-P. Joumard. It’s an ink and watercolour drawing on paper, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. I find this so evocative of the Art Deco era. The bold lines and those confident poses really speak to a time of great change, especially for women. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s fabulous, isn't it? Like stepping into a Fitzgerald novel. For me, it’s all about the gaze – averted, confident. The artist captures that emerging sense of feminine self-assurance with such elegant economy. What do you make of the contrast between the outfits, though? The almost matronly dress on the left versus the playfully androgynous suit on the right? Editor: Hmm, good point! I hadn’t really thought about the contrast; I was too busy admiring the clothes. The woman on the left seems more traditionally feminine, whereas the right figure is adopting a more masculine style, even wearing what seems like a baseball cap. It’s almost subversive. Curator: Exactly! Fashion, especially then, was such a powerful semaphore. This artist isn't just sketching pretty frocks; they're whispering stories of shifting roles and expectations. Note the subtle details, too— the elegant accessories, the deliberate colour palette... it’s a symphony of modernity. How do those details make *you* feel? Editor: I think it adds a touch of aspiration. It's about a lifestyle, not just clothes. You can tell a story just by the clothes people wear! I would love to find that exact suit from the illustration. Curator: Couldn’t agree more! Thank you! Now I want a cloche hat and a jazz record. Editor: Agreed! That gives me some interesting things to consider.