ALL IN VAIN | French Fashion from the Revolution to the Belle Époque with Sylvia Sagona

The Ancient Roman-inspired white muslin dresses of the French Revolution might look flimsy and vapid but they carried the weight of Republican principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Indeed, the changing role of women in 19th century French society can be gauged by the clothes they wore, from the prison of the corset, crinoline and bustle, to the shorter skirts and cycling pantaloons of the New Woman. Clothes do matter.

Sylvia Sagona is an internationally recognised specialist on 19th century French society. She retired from the French Department at the University of Melbourne to work on historical documentaries for French and Australian television and is currently researching a book on Parisian women in the 19th century.

Jacques Tissot, Seaside (July: Speciman of a Portrait), 1878, collection Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio