Les Modes Parisiennes, 1878, No. 1750 : Spécialité de Costumes (...) 1878

P. Deferneville’s “Les Modes Parisiennes, 1878, No. 1750” is a print, showcasing a speciality of costumes at the Parisian fashion house. As industrialization made clothing more accessible in the late 19th century, fashion plates like this one offered a glimpse into the exclusive world of haute couture for the upper classes. The print depicts two women in lavish, floor-length gowns with bustles, emphasizing the era's focus on elaborate silhouettes. One woman admires herself in a mirror, while the other looks on, perhaps contemplating her own image and status within this world of luxury and refinement. The attention to detail in the dresses, from the stripes to the lace, reveals the importance of appearance and social presentation for women of this time. These garments, while beautiful, also represent the constraints placed upon women, as they were expected to adhere to strict fashion standards to maintain their social standing. This image invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between fashion, identity, and the societal expectations that shaped women's lives during this era.