COUTURE IS NOW AT THE LOUVRE!

The world’s most visited museum, the Louvre, gives a nod to its home city of Paris, which is considered the fashion capital, and the city enters a state of respect for haute couture. The “Louvre Couture” selection, distilled from millions of stitches, is displayed alongside the museum’s decorative arts collection. This approach signals that the museum is staying true to its roots while offering viewers the opportunity to observe the complementary aspects of fashion and the French art de vivre, creating a dialogue between history and aesthetics. In the Louvre Couture collection, works from leading fashion houses like Chanel, Saint Laurent, Dior, Balenciaga, and Versace are showcased alongside 65 pieces by innovative designers like Iris van Herpen. Among the most striking pieces are John Galliano’s silk ball gown designed for Dior in 2006 and Alexander McQueen’s “Armadillo” shoes from 2011. The exhibition also features designs inspired by iconic works of art in the Louvre’s collection. For example, a Dior dress on display is inspired by the embroidered cloak in Jacques-Louis David’s “The Coronation of Napoleon,” while another piece from Iris van Herpen’s “Aeriform” collection catches the eye with its innovative design reminiscent of the Louvre’s glass pyramid. These noticeable similarities highlight how the Louvre Couture selection creates a rich narrative by combining historical and modern elements.

A FIRST AT THE LOUVRE

The curator of the exhibition, Olivier Gabet, says that the exhibition represents the strong ties between fashion houses and Paris, with the Louvre located at the heart of the city. While Gabet’s words may sound like a familiar homage to Paris, we hold onto the thought that this is the first time for the Louvre to host such a fashion-focused exhibition, calming any doubts in our minds. For a museum founded in the late 1700s, this exhibition is a milestone, forging a new connection between the museum and the fashion industry. The Louvre Couture collection brings the long-held saying “Art inspires fashion” into a tangible form and shows how designers draw inspiration from artworks. The fact that such a prestigious museum as the Louvre is opening its doors to the fashion world emphasizes the cultural and artistic value of fashion in bold strokes. Louvre Couture invites not only fashion enthusiasts but also all visitors to Paris, regardless of their interests, to be mesmerized by the exhibition. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets online on their website to skip the crazy crowds at the museum entrance! louvre.fr