Fashion Illustrations in France during the 17th & 18th Century Essay

Fashion Illustrations in France during the 17th & 18th Century - Essay Example The essay "Fashion Illustrations in France during the 17th & 18th Century" talks about French fashion illustrations in the 17th & 18th Century. The most famous fashion style in Europe during this time encompassed the Baroque style, which arrived late in France than any other part of Europe. During the 17th and 18th century, France witnessed a significant development in the fashion styles. Various styles of fashion emerged during this period and gained prominence all over France. This paper will discuss the fashion illustrations in France during the 17th and 18th Century. More specifically, the paper will discuss how the fashion illustrations emerged and developed in France during this period. In the 17th Century, France was under the rule of Louis XIV, the Sun King; during this period, French fashion gained prominence as the leading fashion in almost the whole of Europe. This resulted from the fact that France had developed into a significant cultural as well as political power. As s uch, the fashion illustrations from France became an absolutistic regime. Based on the absolutistic ideal, French fashion became rigid from 1660 because of the strong and strict etiquette, which characterised the fashion illustrations. By the year 1670, French fashion illustrations spread all over Europe to the extent that royal fashion of France dictated the fashion illustrations in many parts of Europe. This made European rulers imitate the powerful Sun King and they lost diversities and national differences in fashion.