I question the context of appropriateness through the perspective of fashion. Recall the theatricality of style in the 16th and 17th century as seen in the western art world. The emergence of clothing as a commodity created a visible status symbol and a way to represent one’s identity through costume and artifice. Female identity is embodied in the Rococo style; though its femininity was heavily criticized for being too trivial. Diderot, one of the great minds of the enlightenment says this of the Rococo:

"Always little paintings, little ideas, frivolous compositions, proper for the boudoirs of the little mistress, in the little house of the little master..." (McKay)

With this statement he is able to say that the Rococo is essentially meaningless. It deals with “small taste” and empty compositions meant for people who have little concept of “grand ideas”. I want to take his criticism and use it as fuel to elevate the idea of Rococo through my work. The ultimate goal is to confront that which is criticized about femininity, the frivolity and trivialness, the shame associated with the body, and use it as a tool to cast doubt on their assumptions.