Fashion: Paris London explores the dynamic relationship between clothing and society in revolutionary Paris and Georgian London. It examines how fashion acted as a visual language, reflecting political ideologies, social hierarchies, and economic realities of the late 18th century.
This book argues that fashion in these cities served as a battleground for competing ideologies; for example, the French Revolution saw restrictions on aristocratic luxury and a reimagining of dress as a symbol of republican virtue. The book contrasts the suppression of luxury in Paris with London's complex interplay of class ambition and commercial interests. It analyzes the direct impact of political events on clothing, the rise of new social signifiers, and the evolving relationship between fashion and commerce.
Supported by primary sources like fashion plates and personal letters, the book employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining art historical analysis, social history, and material culture studies. The study begins with an overview of each city's socio-political landscape and progresses through thematic areas, culminating in an examination of the lasting legacy of these sartorial shifts.
