For the first time ever in Paris, fashion capital of the world, an exhibition is bringing together a hundred haute couture dresses and outfits by designers such as Worth, Doucet, Poiret, Lanvin, Chanel, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Grès, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lacroix, Alaïa and many more.... Organized in collaboration with the Galliera Museum - under the artistic direction of Olivier Saillard - the Paris haute couture invites the viewer to admire these exceptional garments, chosen from the most beautiful pieces in the museum's collections. A unique opportunity to discover a number of masterpieces, many of which have never been seen before.
Haute couture was born in Paris in the mid-19th century and since then generations of designers have transformed this supposedly frivolous discipline into high art, drawing on the skill of thousands little hands, like those of the embroiderers and plumassiers (feather workers), whose work in the shadows has kept alive the traditions that help maintain Paris' influence on fashion all over the world.
The exhibition enjoys the exceptional support of Swarovski. This close collaboration began in 1900, when the designer Worth created garments embroidered with Swarovski crystals. Jeanne Lanvin, Gabrielle Chanel and Elsa Shiaparelli made sparing use of these crystals, whereas in the 50s, Jacques Fath and Cristobal Balenciaga used extravagant amount of crystals in their collections.
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Musée Galliera, Ville de Paris, rights reserved, 2013
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
© Photograph rights reserved / Mairie de Paris
