King Louis XIV (1638-1715) established his court at the Palace of Versailles after 1685. In order to restrict the influence of the most powerful nobles, he forced them to live at Versailles with him. One form of royal favor was the permission to be present during the king’s private moments, such as when he woke up in the morning or when his servants assisted him to get dressed. The nobles imitated this practice themselves, and it became fashionable to receive friends in one’s dressing room or bedroom. Dresses for these occasions were as highly decorated and expensive as dresses that were worn for other social events.
