Burlington Public Library MA

Fashion victims, dress at the court of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 334-342) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Fashion victims

bibliography

889941128

Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell

dress at the court of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette

"This engrossing book chronicles one of the most exciting, controversial, and extravagant periods in the history of fashion: the reign of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in 18th-century France. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell offers a carefully researched glimpse into the turbulent era's sophisticated and largely female-dominated fashion industry, which produced courtly finery as well as promoted a thriving secondhand clothing market outside the royal circle. She discusses in depth the exceptionally imaginative and uninhibited styles of the period immediately before the French Revolution, and also explores fashion's surprising influence on the course of the Revolution itself. The absorbing narrative demonstrates fashion's crucial role as a visible and versatile medium for social commentary, and shows the glittering surface of 18th-century high society as well as its seedy underbelly. Fashion Victims presents a compelling anthology of trends, manners, and personalities from the era, accompanied by gorgeous fashion plates, portraits, and photographs of rare surviving garments. Drawing upon documentary evidence, previously unpublished archival sources, and new information about aristocrats, politicians, and celebrities, this book is an unmatched study of French fashion in the late 18th century, providing astonishing insight, a gripping story, and stylish inspiration"--, Provided by publisher

Part I: Court and city -- The Queen -- The Petite Maîtresse -- The Marchande de Modes -- Part II: New and novel -- Marriage -- Court dress -- Longchamp -- Part III: Fashion and fantasy -- Fashions à l'Americaine -- The chemise à la reine -- Figaro and fashion -- Anglomania -- Orientalism -- Part IV: revolution and recovery -- The politics of fashion -- Fashion in exile -- Return to Paris -- Conclusion from "la mode" to "le mode."