A thoughtful, lavishly illustrated, and highly readable account of the fabulous French fashion world in the pre-Revolutionary period

This engrossing book chronicles some of the exciting, controversial, and extravagant periods in the history of fashion: the reign of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette in 18th-century France. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell offers a carefully researched glimpse into the turbulent era’s sophisticated and in large part female-dominated fashion industry, which produced courtly finery in addition to promoted a thriving secondhand clothing market out of doors the royal circle. She discusses in depth the exceptionally imaginative and uninhibited styles of the period in an instant before the French Revolution, and also explores fashion’s surprising influence at the course of the Revolution itself. The absorbing narrative demonstrates fashion’s the most important role as a visible and versatile medium for social remark, and shows the glittering surface of 18th-century high society in addition to its seedy underbelly.
 
Fashion Victims presents a compelling anthology of trends, manners, and personalities from the era, accompanied by gorgeous fashion plates, portraits, and photographs of rare surviving garments. Drawing upon documentary evidence, in the past unpublished archival sources, and new details about aristocrats, politicians, and celebrities, this book is an unmatched study of French fashion in the late 18th century, providing astonishing insight, a gripping story, and stylish inspiration.