Palais du Costume - Exposition Universelle de 1900

This poster was created to highlight a special exhibition of historical French clothing at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition, which may explain the early 1800s outfits adorned by the trio in this poster. Visitors from the past (perhaps mannequins from the museum come to life), they peek at the long entrance queue with excitement and interest. The 1900 Exposition Universelle (or 1900 Paris Exhibition), was held in Paris November - April of 1900 to celebrate the dawning of the new century. Over 40 countries from around the world presented in pavilions throughout the city, and the fair was attended by over 50 million people. The exhibition introduced the public to escalators and talking films, and featured performances by superstars like Sarah Bernhardt and Loie Fuller. The Palais du Costume was a concept thought of by premiere fashion house Maison Felix, which you can see a nod to in this poster’s text. It was a pavilion filled with 30 wax mannequins highlighting the history of Fre