From thread to needle, from sketches to drapery, 220 works from the collections of the UFAC and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs are on display to remind some visitors of — and introduce others to — the treasures of a history marked by ‘Moments de Mode’, ‘Christian Dior, Couturier of Dreams’, ‘Shocking! The Surrealist Worlds of Elsa Schiaparelli’, ‘The Mechanics of Lingerie’ and so many other exhibitions. Whether marvelling at a Saint Laurent jacket embroidered by Brossin de Méré, or at a row of Roger Vivier silk twill shoes arranged like treasures embroidered by Rébé, this immersive experience is designed to celebrate Paris and its creative magic, the buzz of the workshops where so many masterpieces are crafted. Right from the entrance, the tone is set by the juxtaposition of an 18th-century hoop skirt, a backless dress by Guy Laroche (1970) — made to look stunning by Mireille Darc in Le Grand Blond avec une chaussure noire- and a kimono by John Galliano… The emotion stems from the spotlight on the Petit Théâtre de la Mode (1945), as well as the pleating machines of the Lognon house and contemporary printing techniques. From a dress’s creation to its preservation, time is revealed in the immensity of a joy to be shared – a colourful and inspiring ball.
L.B
40 Years of Fashion, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, until 4 April 2027. wwwmadparis.fr
