Zoom Lecture: French Fashion, Women, and the First World War

On August 16 Kendal will sponsor a talk at 7:30 pm via Zoom. The speaker will be Emma Cormack who will talk on: “French Fashion, Women, and the First World War.”

The recent Bard Graduate Center exhibition French Fashion, Women and the First World War examined the dynamic relationship between fashion, war, and gender politics in France during World War I.

In examining the marketing and propaganda efforts undertaken by the French government, press, and designers to keep the fashion industry alive during the war, the exhibition broadened understanding of war culture and offered a new perspective on the history of French women in the early 20th century.

Our speaker Emma Cormack holds a Master’s degree from the Bard Graduate Center in New York City. Her research includes the history of fashion and consumer culture in late-19th and early-20th century France, with a particular interest in department stores, print advertising, and Universal Exhibitions.

She is co-curating an upcoming exhibition Threads of Power: Lace from the Textilmuseum St. Gallen.