Journal des Demoiselles, Fevrier 1882

Description

Journal des Demoiselles was one of the most renowned women’s magazines published in 19th-century France. Founded in Paris in 1833, it appealed primarily to young girls (demoiselles). While covering topics such as fashion, literature, music, morality, education, and social etiquette, the magazine also served as a cultural guide shaping the era's understanding of female identity and elegance. It was noted for its colorful fashion engravings, sewing patterns, and illustrations of European fashion. Published for nearly a century (1833-1922), the Journal des Demoiselles emphasized themes of female education, elegance, and moral refinement in French bourgeois society and, like other magazines of the period (La Mode Illustrée, Le Follet, Les Modes Parisiennes, etc.), played a pioneering role in the development of the women's press.This color engraving was published in the Journal des Demoiselles in February 1882. It features two young female figures. The woman on the left wears an elegant, off-the-shoulder ball gown in deep red satin with lace overlays. With its corseted bodice and lace-trimmed skirt, the gown embodies the romantic and ostentatious elegance typical of 1880s evening fashion. The woman on the right wears a day gown in lavender tones, made of lustrous silk with a train (bustle-style). The lace embroidery and floral embellishments cascading down the shoulders reflect the elegance of French fashion.