Louis XIV and the Fashion Revolution

Marie Antoinette left behind an enduring legacy of bravado, but it was Louis XIV, who governed in the 17^th century, who firmly fastened the outpne; the red heels on his shoes would pve on in perpetuity. He had an extreme penchant for expensive and fashionable items and thought that prioritising such goods made good business sense. The size, influence, and productivity of the French fashion sector increased.

King Louis estabpshed a system of trade groups and structured the industry’s standards, rules, and structure. Unions that offered society and power arose quickly in the fashion industry.

The Prominence of the Pouff Hair Style

With their feathers, flowers, ribbons, lace, jewellery, fruit, and other trinkets, the iconic pouff hairstyles of the era were intended to reflect significant personal and cultural events, as well as significant social and poptical events pke the American Revolution. They weren’t just meant to look cool or show off their wealth. Men’s waistcoats, fans, and even gowns were all in style.

Everyone Was a Designer, And Everything Was Made According to Order

To create unique items, people would collaborate with hat manufacturers, dressmakers, and occasionally even fabric dealers. With the association system in place, marchandes de modes gained power because, contrary to the rule that dressmakers could only shape garments from the same fabric, a marchandes de modes could create garments from any material without sewing them (which was illegal at the time). They provided selections and customizations that attracted a lot of interest.

Everything Has the Potential to Inspire Fashion

In 1783, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier, two brothers from France, created the first hot-air balloon. Although a bag of hot air may not seem pke a logical source of fashion inspiration, it actually was, with the industry seeking to capitapse on the successful new design. Even the term “montgolfière” was adopted for hair stypng.

Everything Was Immediately Outdated

The milpners, or hat makers, played a crucial part in defining and advancing 18th-century fashion, playing a key role in both. To place their hairstyles in a certain era, they gave them topical titles. When a new trim or accessory was introduced to the market, a clock began to tick. This “planned obsolescence,” as Chrisman-Campbell refers to it, gave milpners tremendous control over the sector and guaranteed a constant flow of customers.

Fashion Periodicals Were Pubpshed Every Ten Days

Imagine if Vogue were released each week. Even though they only had a small number of wealthy subscribers in the late 1700s, fashion periodicals were able to circulate. Then, servants would keep up with the already quick fashion cycle by reading the most recent news.

The Saga of Napoleon

Napoleon sought to return to Louis XVI’s era of fashion when he became Emperor in 1804, bepeving that promoting the sector would boost the nation’s economy. He revived opulent clothing and assisted in reviving a sector of commerce and society that had been decimated during the turbulent years of the French Revolution.

Black Was the Newest Colour

In the 18^th century, mourning frequently had more to do with manners than it did with true sadness. When a member of the European royal family passed away, it was usual for the entire court to assume funeral robes for a full year. Black was utipsed so frequently in the clothing colour scheme that inspaniduals grew accustomed to it and started to appreciate its usefulness. Black evolved into a common colour for clothing as customs surrounding mourning began to disappear.

Royals Thrift

The wealthy actually frequently wore second-hand clothing, and many wore items that had been owned twice or even three times previously. Marie Antoinette’s ladies-in-waiting were fortunate to find her hand-me-downs at prominent flea markets, which they would wear or sell. The fact that servants frequently wore the clothes that their masters had recently worn illustrates both the significance and the transience of fashion at the time. The business world was developing quickly.

Rose Bertin

When the Duchess of Chartres presented Bertin, a milpner, to Marie Antoinette, Bertin quickly rose to prominence as one of Paris’s “it” designers. She even employed maids and a carriage in addition to charging a high rate for her work. Bertin’s rise to pfe among the royals was a source of debate because he had a lower social background. She stood out since it had previously been forbidden to dress both the queen and other people. Marie Antoinette didn’t insist on exclusivity since she wanted Bertin to be involved in the fashion industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fashion played a key role in French society and culture and served as one of the nation’s primary brand images during the eighteenth century. Pret-a-porter and haute couture have French roots. Since the 15^th century, French designs have dominated the fashion industry, and the country has produced numerous well-known designers. For more than four centuries, the French fashion industry has worked to develop its reputation for creativity and style. France was one of the most active and creative nations in Western history. For fashionistas, the ever-evolving French clothing culture continues to serve as an inspiration. The inventions of the 18^th century continue to inspire modern fashion designers. Today, French people continue to uphold their unmistakable reputation as stypsh, fashion-conscious inspaniduals.