Popular culture and fashions Belle Époque

world fair of 1900 in paris

the french public s nostalgia belle Époque period based largely on peace , prosperity connected in retrospect. 2 devastating world wars , aftermath made belle Époque appear time of joie de vivre (joy of living) in contrast 20th century hardships. period of stability france enjoyed after tumult of years of french third republic, beginning france s defeat in franco-prussian war, paris commune, , fall of general georges ernest boulanger. defeat of boulanger, , celebrations tied 1889 world s fair in paris, launched era of optimism , affluence. french imperialism in prime. cultural center of global influence, , educational, scientific , medical institutions @ leading edge of europe.

it not entirely reality of life in paris or in france, however. france had large economic underclass never experienced of belle Époque s wonders , entertainments. poverty remained endemic in paris s urban slums , rural peasantry decades after belle Époque ended. conflicts between government , roman catholic church regular during period. of artistic elite saw fin de siècle in pessimistic light.

grand foyer of folies bergère cabaret

those able benefit prosperity of era drawn towards new forms of light entertainment during belle Époque, , parisian bourgeoisie, or successful industrialists called nouveau-riches, became increasingly influenced habits , fads of city s elite social class, known popularly tout-paris ( of paris , or in paris ). casino de paris opened in 1890. paris s less affluent public, entertainment provided cabarets, bistros , music halls.

the moulin rouge cabaret paris landmark still open business today. folies bergère landmark venue. burlesque performance styles more mainstream in belle Époque paris in more staid cities of europe , america. liane de pougy, dancer, socialite , courtesan, known in paris headline performer @ top cabarets. belle Époque dancers such la goulue , jane avril paris celebrities, modelled toulouse-lautrec s iconic poster art. can-can dance popular 19th-century cabaret style appears in toulouse-lautrec s posters era.

the eiffel tower, built serve grand entrance 1889 world s fair held in paris, became accustomed symbol of city, inhabitants , visitors around world. paris hosted successful world s fair in 1900, exposition universelle (1900). paris had been profoundly changed french second empire reforms city s architecture , public amenities. haussmann s renovation of paris changed housing, street layouts, , green spaces. walkable neighbourhoods well-established belle Époque.

a 1900 cartoon magazine le frou frou (signed jan duch ) satirizing style trend favoring small breasts (a large bosom may still acceptable in provinces, not in paris!). boyish figure didn t become mainstream fashion ideal until 1920s.

cheap coal , cheap labor contributed cult of orchid , made possible perfection of fruits grown under glass, apparatus of state dinners extended upper classes. exotic feathers , furs more prominently featured in fashion ever before, haute couture invented in paris, center of belle Époque, fashion began move in yearly cycle. in paris, restaurants such maxim s paris achieved new splendor , cachet places rich parade. maxim s paris arguably city s exclusive restaurant. bohemian lifestyles gained different glamour, pursued in cabarets of montmartre.

french cuisine continued climb in esteem of european gourmets during belle Époque. word ritzy invented during era, referring posh atmosphere , clientele of hôtel ritz paris. head chef , co-owner of ritz, auguste escoffier, pre-eminent french chef during belle Époque. escoffier modernized french haute cuisine, doing work spread reputation abroad business projects in london in addition paris. champagne perfected during belle Époque. alcoholic spirit absinthe cited many art nouveau artists muse , inspiration , can seen in of artwork of time.

large public buildings such opéra garnier devoted enormous spaces interior designs art nouveau show places. after mid-19th century, railways linked major cities of europe spa towns biarritz, deauville, vichy, arcachon , french riviera. carriages rigorously divided first-class , second-class, super-rich began commission private railway coaches, exclusivity display hallmark of opulent luxury.