The Persian Fetes in Paris: The Note of the 1912 Season // The Sphere

Persian Celebrations in Paris: a Note of the 1912 Season
How and why did Persian art and costumes become fashionable in Paris, with its capricious spirit, is the question that everyone is asking now, a Parisian correspondent writes. A whim, lighter than a feather, an evasive fleck of dust, is obviously a feminine feature — this is what can be said about it.
Nevertheless, an observer can note that modern women’s fashion has not gone too far away from what they used to have in Persia. These include culottes, very Persian, which were hissed off; clinging dresses that look very similar, the turban hat that simply looks like a turban, not the Turkish one that Madame de Staël wore, but rather Persian, narrow, vivid, decorated with a feather on its right side. There is nothing more probable than the fact that the fashion of the season to come will be increasingly more Persian.
One of the reasons why the Persian style is currently in the forefront is the revolution in Tehran. Persia has been on the news a lot. However, in this case, China should also be the latest fashion, as it has been quite high on the agenda as well — and this will be quite possible. In a few years, we may host Chinese celebrations, just as picturesque as those Persian that have recently been organized in Paris.
Ballets Russes and their huge success also had their profound impact since the premiere of Scheherazade with Léon Bakst’s amazing Persian setting and costumes.
There is no definite answer where the idea to organize Persian celebrations came from.
All of the participants in the celebration belong to Parisian high society. They were all organized in groups, each presenting a story — brief, charming, and exceptionally artistic. On the illustrations is Countess Aynard de Chabrillan surrounded by the most beautiful guests of her magnificent ball of One Thousand and One Nights.
Footnote: A typical Persian feast of the Parisian season 1912. The group includes Countess Aynard de Chabrillan and some guests.