MUSEmemoirs

Info

• Dates: 24.01.25 – 21.07.25
• Curator: Olivier Gabet
• Where: Musée du Louvre
• Price: 22 euro/ free for aged – 26

For the first time, the Louvre dedicates an exhibition to the relationship between art and fashion, seamlessly integrating modern and contemporary couture into the museum’s historic collections. Rather than being confined to a traditional exhibition space, the showcase unfolds throughout the corridors and galleries of the department of Objets d’Art, where creations from 45 fashion houses are interwoven with mosaics, goldsmithing, tapestries, ceramics, and other artifacts from the Louvre’s collection. The dialogue between objects and fashion accessories is fluid—so much so that some pieces seem as if they were designed specifically for this setting. This impression is all the more surprising given that the designers had no direct access to the museum’s collection during the creative process.

This exhibition underscores the ever-growing dialogue between art and fashion, a relationship that has become increasingly prominent in recent years. The Louvre’s decision to highlight these connections not only validates fashion as a form of artistic craftsmanship but also pays tribute to the expertise behind haute couture. The intention is not merely to scatter fashion pieces among the Objets d’Art but to reveal and emphasize their natural affinities.

The exhibition’s layout is both original and immersive, thus sometimes confusing, as visitors navigate the museum’s permanent collection rather than a separate, curated space. Fashion pieces appear unexpectedly – an accessory, a dress – merging with their surroundings. Each designer’s vision stands out, and every piece is accompanied by its story, revealing the historical or artistic influences behind its creation.

Art has long been a source of inspiration across creative disciplines, and fashion is no exception. The designers share with the art world techniques, visual culture, cultural heritage, references… The museum itself could serve as an immense source of influences and inspiration. Beyond offering a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion, this exhibition is also an opportunity to discover a lesser-known part of the museum: the Objets d’Art department. Visitors are not only drawn to the couture pieces but also prompted to rediscover the ceramics, antique jewelry, Byzantine icons, reliquaries, and other artifacts that populate these galleries—an invitation to rediscover history through the lens of fashion and decorative arts.

My personal highlights:

• Rabih Kayrouz, Skirt and Sweater, 2019-20
• Chanel Dress by Karl Lagerfeld Collection, 2012-13
• Christian Dior dress 2018