Art - Goût - Beauté, Feuillets de l' élégance féminine, Novembre 1928, No. 99, 9e Année, p. 13 1928

Curator: Looking at "Art - Goût - Beauté, Feuillets de l'Élégance Féminine," a piece from November 1928, it’s like stepping back into a salon of that era, isn’t it? What leaps out at you? Editor: That almost ethereal quality – these watercolor figures seem to float right off the page! It's fashion illustration, yes, but something about it feels dreamy, like capturing a fleeting moment of feminine elegance. Curator: It's more than just a pretty picture; it's a social artifact, reflecting the changing role of women in the Roaring Twenties. The Art Nouveau influence is unmistakable in the flowing lines, but there's also a clear break from the past in these women's active stances. We see the democratization of fashion being mirrored on the printed page. Editor: Democratization, certainly! Each pose radiates an effortless chic. Though these illustrations showcase specific designer garments, the viewer might imagine herself transported into one of those gowns. As an artist I find myself wanting to add color and movement to them. They're blueprints for an image, not fixed portraits. Curator: That invitation is the genius of such periodicals; it blurs lines between aspiration and everyday life. Think about how images in magazines like these created aspirational ideals, subtly dictating societal standards, even setting parameters for female agency, by visually confining or expanding it. It's carefully managed fantasy. Editor: That is rather bittersweet. Such constraints can inadvertently trigger powerful reflections on contemporary social justice challenges, the commodification of ideals, and otherness. Curator: Well said. I'm seeing something I did not notice before: those soft pastel colours combined with precise linework seem to want to express both dream and aspiration... And it certainly invites introspection as you observed. Editor: Definitely. It encourages you to think not just about design but identity. Curator: Absolutely, let’s leave our listeners to do just that. Thanks for this fascinating discussion. Editor: Likewise! It’s been a delight.