.. it was the vast communication network that allowed Queen Victoria to spread her fashion dictates. With the advent of photography in the early 1840’s, people could SEE what she was wearing.
In the days of Josephine, Napoleon sent out fashion dolls – actually tiny dolls – to show what women were to wear. In the days of Marie Antoinette it was words of mouth, sketches, and mostly portraits. Before photography, and in Eugenie’s reign also videography, word of what was in fashion was very limited.
With Victoria and those to follow, every woman knew worldwide what the Queen was wearing today, and she made sure they knew.
(Portrait: Queen Victoria of England as Princess at age 4. Prior to photography, her fashion sense was distributed by paintings and sketches)