Harold H. Piffard, British
“Do You Like This Color On Me For the Oscars Red Carpet? It’s From the Katie Britt Evening Wear Collection,” Date Unknown
Oil on canvas
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Info, or perhaps links that point to more info, about this artist can be found here and here, perhaps in addition to what’s in his Wikipedia page. Several websites mistakenly list 1938 as the year he passed, perhaps due to the engraving error on his headstone (shown by the first here link), as explained in the bio pointed to by the second here link.
/// While Napoléon stands at the rear
having words with a tall brigadier,
Joséphine feeds her passion
to embody French fashion.
The New Bonnet she ordered is here.
/// But her lovely new pink hat will mean
that the Empress of France can’t be seen
in that silk sheath of green.
For a rose gown she’s keen.
Will it come? Not tonight, Joséphine.
/// She bought nine hundred dresses a year—
body-hugging and quite often sheer.
Set a style for the State
all French femmes emulate.
“Influencer?” The best with no peer.
/// The old styles of the past were now dead:
whale-bone corsets, huge wigs on the head,
petticoats swept the floor,
lace and ruffles galore.
Clothes were now light and freeing, instead.
/// These new styles have entranced Frenchmen raving,
(plus the cost of the fabric they’re saving).
They accent her caboose.
And wide sleeves, short and loose,
let him see that she hasn’t been shaving.
/// Gauzy gowns allowed Frenchmen to peek
at female body parts which they seek.
The look drew fond regards
for those “French Postal Cards”
(which proved nude women aren’t unique).