Messages were hidden behind blemish patches
16th century France gave Europe one of its most sought-after fashion trends in the form of facial patches. Apart from their primary objective, these patches were used as adornments. Much like present-day fashion accessories, these patches were worn partially to elevate the beauty of the bearer. Their primary utility was to hide facial imperfections—usually smallpox scars, pockmarks, or covering other blemishes.
As porcelain, white skin became a symbol of beauty and aristocracy, black facial patches usually made from velvety fabrics became popularized. They were available in all shapes; however, just wearing these patches wasn’t enough. How an individual wore it became equally crucial as they conveyed several subtle messages ranging from being flirtatious to indicating if someone was already engaged.