Between December 1917 and May 1918, one of the leading acts on the vaudeville circuit was a fashion show thinly disguised as a war drama. Fleurette’s Dream at Peronne told the story of a young Parisian model trapped in a cellar during the bombardment of Peronne. In ten short scenes, Fleurette dreams of her former life in Paris, revealing her desire to return to a period of peace and prosperity, highlighted by shopping excursions and late nights on the town. The brain-child of British couturier and Ziegfeld Follies’ designer Lucile, Fleurette’s Dream was an overwhelming success. The calibre of the mannequins, the beauty of the clothing, and the presence of a designer of Lucile’s stature were unprecedented on the vaudeville circuit, and audiences flocked to see the fashion spectacle. The success of Fleurette’s Dream can be attributed to its ability to move within and beyond existing boundaries; not only did it stretch the definition of the vaudeville “act” and challenge critical perceptions, it also sought a delicate balance between stimulating consumer desire and acknowledging the government’s call for wartime thrift. 05/26: 1400