Artwork
D'jo
D'jo is a drawing by Madeleine & Madeleine. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
About this work
Overview
D'jo is a 1924 drawing by the design collective Madeleine & Madeleine, currently held in the Museum of Ethnography. Executed in ink or graphite, it presents a stylized portrait of a woman dressed in a contemporary fashion of the era. The work includes the artist’s signature and the studio’s name, suggesting its function as both artistic expression and commercial documentation.
Subject & Meaning
The figure stands with poised confidence, hands on hips, embodying a self-assured modern woman. Her attire—black dress with vertical stripes, deep V-neck, and flared skirt—reflects 1920s silhouettes that emphasized freedom of movement and streamlined aesthetics. The wide-brimmed green hat adds a bold accent, reinforcing the subject’s assertive presence without narrative context.
Technique & Style
The drawing employs clean, precise lines to define form and fabric. Vertical striations on the dress suggest texture and rhythm, while the sharp contours of the hat and skirt convey structural clarity. A small fabric swatch in the upper left corner functions as a material reference, indicating the work’s connection to fashion design practice rather than pure fine art.
History & Provenance
Created in 1924, the piece originated from the design studio Madeleine & Madeleine, known for fashion illustrations and textile design. It entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection as part of a broader archive documenting early 20th-century dress and visual culture. Its survival suggests it was valued for its representation of contemporary style rather than as a standalone artwork.
Context
In the mid-1920s, fashion illustration served as a bridge between design studios and consumers, often used to showcase new silhouettes and materials. D'jo aligns with this trend, capturing the era’s shift toward minimalist, geometric forms in women’s wear. The inclusion of a fabric sample reflects the practical needs of designers communicating with manufacturers and clients.
Legacy
D'jo remains a quiet artifact of early modern fashion documentation. It offers insight into how design studios visually encoded style trends, blending artistic expression with commercial utility. Though not widely exhibited, it contributes to scholarly understanding of how gender, dress, and identity were represented in interwar design practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
These artists left a small but striking set of 1924 drawings and designs that mix fashion and line.
Museum
Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
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