Toujours Chic Les Robes, Hiver 1921-1922: Jouvence 1921 - 1922

G-P. Joumard made this fashion plate titled Jouvence, sometime around the winter of 1921–1922. Imagine the artist, Joumard, sitting at their table, carefully rendering each detail of this fashionable woman. I’m thinking about the precise lines, the controlled washes of pink, and how they evoke the glamour of the Jazz Age. This image is a site of inquiry: How can fashion capture the spirit of a moment? What does it mean to present oneself with such deliberate style? The wheels on the skirt are so striking. I wonder if Joumard felt the pressure of capturing the latest trends, or if they reveled in the creativity of it all. The artist’s hand is evident in every line, a conversation between intention and execution. Like, what does ‘Jouvence’ mean anyway? It sounds like ‘rejuvenation’ in French. Maybe that’s what Joumard was thinking when he made it? Ultimately, this artwork reminds us that all artists are in conversation, building on the ideas of those who came before, and inspiring those who will follow.