In previous times, aristocratic ladies would invite their trusted Marchande de Mode to visit them in their chateaus or palaces so they could update their wardrobes with the latest fashions. In this incredible story, Corinne, a fashion historian at Versailles, reveals how France developed the pastime of luxury shopping. Beginning with the construction of Palais Royale, continuing with the elegance and romance of the covered passages in Paris, women discovered the exquisite pleasure of window-shopping. When the Bon Marché opened it’s doors, it was the first department store in France and it changed the way wealthy Parisiennes shopped forever!

Once upon a time, the women at Versailles went to great lengths to achieve the ideals of beauty that fashion dictated. Extravagant gowns of silk, ribbon and lace were accentuated with powdered wigs & feathered hats, a dusting of rouge & a well placed beauty spot, sparkling jewels and exotic scents. In this Textile Tale we welcome beauty specialist Jolene, who will describe in glorious detail the laborious stages of a woman’s toilette in Rococo times and beyond.

We travel to Versailles again to discover the intricacies of court dress in the 17th and 18th century, beautifully described and illustrated by Corinne! We know all about the toilette, the make-up, perfumes and hair do’s, now we’ll find out about the layers of petticoats, crinolines, corsets and stays, the garters, stockings and slippers, the robes, stomachers and trains. Court dress was dictated by kings and ministers, who decreed the colours, fabrics and accessories that could be worn. Flaunting these rules could result in hefty fines, but as we’ll discover, it was often the kings and queens themselves who couldn’t resist the temptation of a delicate lace collar or vibrant Indian chintz.

In this Textile Tale we take a lovely whistlestop tour of the fabulous female designers who have been almost written out of the history of fashion. Most of us have heard of Coco Chanel but there are many more names to celebrate such as The Callot Soeurs, Jeanne Paquin, Jeanne Lanvin, Lucile, Madame Grès, Madeleine Vionnet and Elsa Schiaparelli. We welcome Virginie, a specialist in 18th, 19th and 20th century French Fashion who is part of the fantastic duo at Marcel & Jeanette in the oldest flea market in Paris.