Postcard For Reader

French Giraffe Mania in 1827

Parisians started seeing spots in 1827! Giraffe mania spread after the Pasha of Egypt offered this extraordinary long necked gift to King Charles X of France. Fabrics, furniture, wallpaper, porcelain, and even soap were decorated with a giraffe pattern. Women piled their hair up fashionably à la giraffe. This high in the sky chignon was supported by wire frames and often decorated with giraffe inspired ribbons. Oh la la!