Revue de la Mode, Gazette de la Famille, dimanche 22 août 1880, 9e année, No. 451: Toilettes de Mme Duboys (...) 1880

This fashion plate, created by A. Chaillot in 1880, displays two elegant dresses, capturing the styles of the late 19th century. The dress on the right features a prominent bow at the waist, a motif laden with historical significance. The bow, seemingly a simple adornment, echoes across centuries. In the Renaissance, similar knots symbolized alliances and familial bonds in portraits. Consider, though, how its meaning shifts. From emblems of commitment, these bows transition to symbols of haute couture, adorning the fashionable elite and expressing individual style rather than societal roles. This evolution is not linear but cyclical. The bow, whether tying a knot between people or cinching a waist, consistently evokes themes of connection, beauty, and aspiration. In this context, it serves as a powerful visual cue, engaging the viewer on a subconscious level by evoking feelings of longing for beauty, status, and belonging. Through such enduring motifs, we perceive the profound impact of cultural memory on our perceptions. Symbols resurface and evolve, demonstrating the non-linear progression of cultural transmission.