The Musée des Arts Décoratifs Celebrates Forty Years of Fashion
From September 30, 2026, to April 4, 2027, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is dedicating a major exhibition entitled “Look, Forty Years of Fashion.” This event celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the Musée des Arts de la Mode, which took place in 1986. Through a carefully curated selection of 220 works, notably including 57 silhouettes, drawings, embroideries, and photographs, the iconic institution offers a fascinating immersion into the multiple lives of a garment.
The direction of this ambitious project is led by Bénédicte Gady, Director of Museums, and Sophie Lemahieu, specialized curator. The exhibition path is structured around three key phases, beginning with a meticulous exploration of the behind-the-scenes of creation within the Tuileries gallery. This open-plan space highlights the bustling energy of haute couture and luxury ready-to-wear workshops. Visitors discover with a certain wonder the diversity of creative processes, illustrated by Pierre Balmain’s sketches, Madeleine Vionnet’s toile work, and the mood boards designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri. The excellence of craftsmanship is also celebrated through the presentation of embroidery samples from the houses of Rébé and Lesage, which dialogue with the pleating techniques of Maison Lognon and contemporary 3D printing innovations.
A paper garden beneath the nave
The climax of this retrospective unfolds in the museum’s nave, transformed for the occasion into a majestic paper garden. Forty iconic silhouettes are erected here like true sculptures, bearing witness to the major exhibitions that have punctuated the institution’s history. Beneath a poetic light installation, the creations of masterful figures such as Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Christian Lacroix, Valentino Garavani, and Azzedine Alaïa stand side by side. This impressive staging is a reminder of the rich themes explored by the museum over the decades, ranging from the celebration of great couturiers to reflections on the cultural and social dimensions of fashion—which should never be overlooked.
The second life of the works
Finally, the Rivoli gallery invites the public into the secrecy of the museum’s archives to discover the second life of the works. This section pays a strong tribute to the donors and to the Union Française des Arts du Costume, whose historical collections made the genesis of the museum possible. Visitors are introduced to the discreet yet fundamental professions of conservation, scientific restoration, and mannequin mounting—a crucial step that restores shape and majesty to textile pieces while preserving their integrity. The exhibition concludes with a retrospective of posters and catalogs, highlighting the importance of visual identity in promoting this invaluable heritage.
An exhibition recommended by the Connan Press editorial team.
