Très Parisien, 1927 : CRÉATIONS MARTIAL & ARMAND (...) 1927

This fashion plate by M.J. Herbelin, titled “Très Parisien” was created in 1927. It has an illustration of two stylish women standing in what looks like a park or garden setting, trees sketched in the background. I imagine the artist carefully considering the composition, the positioning of the figures in relation to each other, and the surrounding elements. Herbelin probably thought about how the garments drape and move on the body, how the colors interact and complement one another, and how to create a sense of depth and dimension on a flat surface. The color is mostly beige, off-white and brown. The lines are crisp and economical. There is a lightness to it. It’s interesting how Herbelin blends fashion illustration with elements of caricature; there is something so knowing in the artist’s style. The outfits in the drawing reflect the fashion trends of the 1920s, with their dropped waistlines, knee-length hemlines, and streamlined silhouettes. It’s like a conversation between the artist and the world.