The Kobe Fashion Museum is hosting the "European Fans" exhibition from January 13th to March 11th, showcasing approximately 60 fans from its collection, made between the 18th and 20th centuries, along with women's fashion.

FanC. 1850FranceCollection of the Kobe Fashion Museum
Fan is not only a part of dresses, but also a decorative accessory that makes up a variety of glamorous women's outfits. Among these, holding a fan was considered a sign of refinement for upper-class women, and it was not just a decorative item; it was also a means of intimate communication, with messages being sent by the gesture of holding it.

Fans come in a variety of shapes, including the "brisée" (French for "broken"), which is made by stitching thin, flat ribs together in a fan-like shape and weaving ribbons into the ribs, and is known in Japan as a "hiougi." The "plissé" (French for "pleated") has a folding surface, similar to the folding fans we are familiar with today for cooling ourselves down. There are also fans with ribs made from ivory, tortoiseshell, or mother-of-pearl, fans with elegant banquet paintings on the surface, and fans decorated with luxurious lace.

Robe à la FrançaiseAround 1760FranceCollection of Kobe Fashion Museum
You can also try on a "robe à la Française" at the entrance to the exhibition room and take photos. Why not try on the gorgeous dress and fan and experience what it was like to be a lady of high society?