Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
History
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Eleanor Rivera
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
A period of French prosperity know as the Belle Epoque followed the Franco-Prussain War from 1871-1914. Within this time, Parisian Fashion would blossom and flourish with couturiers, fashion designers, rising in fame and influence within textile and clothing markets. Credit to this prosperity can be given to the second industrial revolution, the end of a long depression, and a dominating industry of luxury market goods production in tandem with a sharp increase in foreign trade. Foreign media, such as American newspapers, would display the array of reactions to the success of Parisian styles. Retail progression and the commercialization of leisure would allow americans to indulge in the “luxeries” of life that included fashion as both a commercial form of manufacturing and as a form of social culture. Within commercial advertising entities produced by american newspaper outlets, advertisements of clothing and feature articles discussing trends, opinions, and criticisms were common facets within the regularly published papers. By analyzing historical trends utilizing primary sources and related historiography, an understanding over the projection and perceptions of fashion as an essential part of social culture can be made.
Thesis: The purpose of this project is to argue that the social prosperity of the Belle Époque was reflected through the material use and consumption of French fashion in America. American social culture was influenced by Edwardian French fashion of the Belle Époque through the use of “French” titles for clothing items in american media.” To support this, three aspects of social culture are analyzed: the “morality” of fashion and clothing, restrictive clothing and health, and industrialization through consumerism and ideals of commodity.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
History Department Symposium
Included in
Cultural History Commons, European History Commons, Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts Commons, Other French and Francophone Language and Literature Commons, Social History Commons
Belle Époque French Fashion: Understanding French Clothing Labels in Historical American Media
A period of French prosperity know as the Belle Epoque followed the Franco-Prussain War from 1871-1914. Within this time, Parisian Fashion would blossom and flourish with couturiers, fashion designers, rising in fame and influence within textile and clothing markets. Credit to this prosperity can be given to the second industrial revolution, the end of a long depression, and a dominating industry of luxury market goods production in tandem with a sharp increase in foreign trade. Foreign media, such as American newspapers, would display the array of reactions to the success of Parisian styles. Retail progression and the commercialization of leisure would allow americans to indulge in the “luxeries” of life that included fashion as both a commercial form of manufacturing and as a form of social culture. Within commercial advertising entities produced by american newspaper outlets, advertisements of clothing and feature articles discussing trends, opinions, and criticisms were common facets within the regularly published papers. By analyzing historical trends utilizing primary sources and related historiography, an understanding over the projection and perceptions of fashion as an essential part of social culture can be made.
Thesis: The purpose of this project is to argue that the social prosperity of the Belle Époque was reflected through the material use and consumption of French fashion in America. American social culture was influenced by Edwardian French fashion of the Belle Époque through the use of “French” titles for clothing items in american media.” To support this, three aspects of social culture are analyzed: the “morality” of fashion and clothing, restrictive clothing and health, and industrialization through consumerism and ideals of commodity.