Journal des Demoiselles, 15 Octobre 1903, Supplément au No. 5314 : Modes de M.lles Augustin (...) 1903

This fashion plate, published in the Journal des Demoiselles in 1903, gives us an idea of what women were wearing at the time. I’m thinking about the artist, maybe hunched over a drawing board, carefully delineating each feathered hat. I'm particularly drawn to the one with what looks like sardines, a bit like one of those surrealist concoctions by Meret Oppenheim. Imagine rendering the texture of fur, the subtle sheen on a silk ribbon, and the precise angle of a tilted brim! It’s a delicate balance between representation and abstraction. There's a flatness and crispness to the image but also an illusion of depth. These fashion plates remind me of the work of many artists who explore gender, identity, and representation through dress and costume. I am reminded of the layers of meaning embedded in each garment, each accessory. We can see it as an ongoing conversation about what it means to adorn ourselves, express ourselves, and create ourselves through fashion.