The Marie Antoinette phrase “Let them eat cake!” amidst the bread shortage issue in the 18th century is what influenced my collection. Although the phrase was just a historical rumor, it mirrors how the plight of the poor remains the same since world hunger has increased rapidly due to the pandemic. With that, my collection highlights artworks of working-class women (by François Boucher, Jean-Siméon Chardin, Jean-Baptiste Greuze, and Jean-Honoré Fragonard) in the Rococo era as they relate to our times today. With this, I chose to create digital prints that showcase how poverty is often glorified by society, however, they are blinded by the side of how the poor struggle to survive. I interpreted this by collecting Rococo paintings of working-class women and hiding them into angelic Rococo painting elements.

Title: The Divide of the Rococo Era

Techniques: Quilting, Pleating, Digital Printed Fabric, Heat-Pressed Printed Fabric, Embroidery, And Handsewn Floral Applique

Materials: Double Twill Diamond Organdy, Jacquard, Tulle, Floral Applique, Lace, Duchess Satin, And Embroidery Thread

Designer: Chelsy Vizcarra (vizcarrachelsy@gmail.com)

Creative Director: Chelsy Vizcarra

Makeup Artist: Pam Carreon

Hair: Grace Enriquez

Photographer: Elroe Banawa

Set-Up Designer: Mark Capalar

Studio: Leon Studios

Models: Jelsy Arcales, Bianca Delos Reyes, Barbara Sandra Pondoyo