I think my love affair with the dress began as a child. Devouring the story books given to me as gifts for birthdays or Christmas, I would notice what the princesses wore. Their dresses captured their stories, and heightened their plights.
Cinderella was a particular favourite - it's completely about the transformative power of a dress.
In one of my favourite versions, the Prince hosts three balls in order to find his bride. And the fairy godmother has to give Cinderella a dress for each, every one more beautiful than the last.
Edmund Dulac has really utilised eighteenth century decadence in these illustrations. Very French!
