Fashion in 18th-Century Paris

Get dressed in 18th century Paris! Period costume designer and artist, Maxwell Barr, walks us through what is so interesting about French Fashion in the 1700’s in conjunction with the exhibition "Paris: Life & Luxury". We live in a t-shirt generation, so the grandeur of historic fashion may seem baffling, or even constricting, to some.

Fashion at the time wasn’t purely for function—women of the era displayed their wealth on their body. The way someone may buy a Gucci or Louis Vuitton bag today, a woman back then may dress herself in fine lace and silks of intricate patterns and trims.

There is no doubting the frivolity of 18th century French fashion, but it is important to note its societal importance. Even during periods of war, dolls would be allowed into cities, made to display the newest in Parisian fashion.

The Getty Center hosts many demonstrations and museum exhibitions like this year-round. Visit us to learn more about what is coming to the Getty. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on new exhibitions at the Getty. What’s your favorite period of historical fashion? Let us know in the comments!

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