The "Journal des dames et des modes" was created by Pierre de La Mésangère in 1797, but sources differ as to the origin of the magazine's revival. Some state that it was a man named Angonini, one of Gabriele d’Annunzio's friends, who relaunched it in June 1912; others say it was Jacques Nouvion who, after having studied La Mésangère's publication for quite some time, decided to give it a new lease of life. The article published on Wednesday 5 June 1912 in Le Temps newspaper presented the resurrected magazine as: "the Journal des dames et des modes has been given a new lease of life; it's back on show as it was in the year V; same format, same characters, same paper, same chit-chat and, it goes without saying, same influence". The heading of each "costume parisien" (Parisian costume) plate was also the same. The magazine was published three times a month as of 1912 and disappeared from the scene as the First World War started in August 1914. Printing was limited to 1279 copies as announced on the frontispiece of all the numbered copies. The first issue included a presentation by Anatole France, but there were also contributions from Gabriele d’Annunzio, Jean Cocteau, Francis de Miomandre, Marcel Boulenger, Pierre de Trévières, Henri Lavedan, Henri Duvernois, Roger Boutet de Monvel, etc., who signed one of their poems or literary texts, short column pieces about society, literature, salons, theatre or fashion. The 186 plates were engraved then stencil coloured. They mainly illustrated women's fashion models, accessories and, on rare occasions men's or children's fashion designs. These were signed by prestigious names such as Martin, Georges Barbier, Maurice Taquoy, Robert Dammy, Drian, Léon Bakst, Boutet de Monvel, etc., some of whom were the first contributors to the magazine the "Gazette du Bon Ton", created at the same date.
Click below to discover the "Journal des dames et des modes" fashion magazine flipbooks from 1912 to 1914.