
©Unknown
One of her most well-known designs was used as an advertisement for Parfums Luyna, a Parisian perfume company. The ad portrays a fair woman wearing an ornate dress with a wide skirt and a large hat that has a bow beneath her chin. Silhouettes of perfume bottles are seen behind her. The design was painted with watercolor and gouache on illustration board, which was the most used medium of the 1920s due to the affordability and ability to paint small details that would translate well on shiny magazine paper. In line with the Art Deco Style, the composition’s geometric shapes are evident, such as the woman’s shoulders and figure as well as the designs on her dress. The image also features strong linear elements including the chair and the alignment of the perfume bottles.
The dress appears to be inspired by Parisian designer, Paul Poiret, who was a trailblazer in Art Deco style and designed some of the first non-corseted dresses of the century. The high waisted band at the top of her torso, also known as the lampshade design, allows her body to move more freely. This design reflects the modern woman who takes part in nightlife and works or goes to university. The lace v-neckline and lace sleeves emphasize her sexuality as well. Other elements of the modern woman included heavier makeup and blushed cheeks. A fair complexion was considered desirable at the time, and this aesthetic was emphasized by models featured in ads for household cleaning products by companies such as Palmolive. Parfums Luyna and brands alike were selecting the modern woman archetype to be the face of their brand therefore influencing women to partake in new fashions and exercise their freedoms.