Chez La Modiste

Fashion History

6 articles

A sophisticated woman in a classic Little Black Dress exudes timeless elegance in a vintage Parisian salon, embodying enduring style.
Heritage

What Are the Origins and Impact of the Little Black Dress?

In 1926, Vogue published a drawing of a simple, calf-length black crêpe de Chine dress, adorned only with pearls, declaring it 'Chanel's Ford'.

Élise Dubois·July 5, 2026
A surrealist haute couture fashion show featuring a model with a shoe as a hat and another with a bone-adorned dress.
Culture & Art

What Is Surrealism's Impact on Haute Couture and Fashion?

At the height of Parisian haute couture, Elsa Schiaparelli presented a shoe as a hat and bones on the outside of a dress, radically redefining fashion.

Maeve O'Connor·June 27, 2026
Models in Christian Dior's iconic 1947 'New Look' gowns, featuring full skirts and nipped-in waists, presented in a glamorous post-war Parisian setting.
Heritage

What Was Christian Dior's 1947 New Look and Why Did It Revolutionize Fashion?

In February 1947, as much of Europe still grappled with post-war rationing, Christian Dior unveiled a single dress, the 'Chérie,' that alone consumed over 13-and-a-half yards of fabric, pleated meticu

Élise Dubois·June 22, 2026
Close-up of an artisan's hands performing intricate hand-sewing of beads and sequins onto haute couture fabric in a Parisian atelier.
Atelier Visit

Haute Couture Embellishment Techniques and Their History

For 130 years, artisans known as 'petites mains' at Maison Lesage have meticulously hand-attached intricate embellishments.

Élise Dubois·June 6, 2026
Ethereal silhouette of Marilyn Monroe in an iconic gown, surrounded by modern fashion designs, symbolizing her enduring influence on today's designers.
The Runway

Marilyn Monroe's Fashion Still Inspires Top Designers Today

In 2022, Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's iconic bedazzled nude dress from 1962 to the Met Gala, a garment so delicate it had been stored in a darkened vault, according to Galerie Magazine .

Aylin Demir·May 31, 2026
A stylish woman embodying the Sloane Ranger aesthetic, wearing a Barbour jacket, in a setting that blends British countryside charm with urban sophistication.
The Runway

The Sloane Ranger Phenomenon: How a Handbook Defined an Era

Fashion critic Vanessa Friedman, known for her sharp eye, recently sported a Barbour jacket at a Chanel show.

Aylin Demir·May 23, 2026