Loïc Prigent. Between goddesses and balustrades

In 1850, Paris had one hundred and fifty couturiers. There were more than fifteen hundred fashion houses registered in 1895, less than half a century later. Between the two, a revolution: clothing becomes a fashion phenomenon. Craftsmanship becomes creation and soon industry. A true French madness, which has never stopped.

Obese, the crinoline

Loïc Prigent, the twirling and delicious (and so informed, he has spent his life in the workshops since 1997) chronicler of this universe as superfluous as it is irresistible, recounts this epic which says a lot…