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The Louvre, a prestigious institution of art, will, for the first time, host an exhibition dedicated to fashion, creating a dialogue between the museum’s treasures and the creations of some of the greatest contemporary designers.
This marks a historic first for the world’s largest museum. From January 24 to July 21, 2025, the Louvre will present an exceptional exhibition exploring the fascinating connections between art and fashion. Titled Fashion at the Louvre: A Timeless Dialogue, this exhibition will shed light on the reciprocal influences between these two creative worlds, offering visitors a unique visual and sensory experience.
The exhibition, which will be held in the museum’s decorative arts galleries, will feature a chronological journey from the Byzantine era to the French Second Empire. Visitors will be able to admire around sixty iconic outfits and thirty accessories from the most renowned fashion designers, such as Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Yohji Yamamoto, and Dolce & Gabbana. These contemporary creations will be displayed alongside the Louvre’s treasures, creating unexpected correspondences and revealing the timelessness of certain motifs, forms, and materials.
An Immersive Scenography
The scenography, entrusted to the talented Nathalie Crinière, promises an immersive and poetic experience. Known for her remarkable setups at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Dior Gallery, Nathalie Crinière has designed a pathway that highlights the exhibited pieces while integrating them harmoniously within the majestic setting of the Louvre. Visitors will wander through a dreamlike universe where the boundaries between art and fashion blur, giving way to a fruitful and inspiring dialogue.
The exhibition will also pay tribute to Marie-Louise Carven, a pioneering figure in Parisian fashion and an avid art collector. In 1973, Madame Carven donated a hundred French 18th-century art objects to the Louvre, reflecting her attachment to the museum and her passion for art. This tribute will allow visitors to rediscover the work of this visionary designer who left an indelible mark on French fashion history.
Spotlight on Emerging Talents
While the exhibition highlights the big names in fashion, it also gives pride of place to emerging talents. Several creations by up-and-coming designers will be showcased, offering a comprehensive panorama of contemporary fashion. This approach aligns with the Louvre’s aim to be a space of discovery and support for young creators, fostering a productive dialogue between heritage and modernity.
With this exhibition, the Louvre hopes to attract a new audience, perhaps less familiar with museums but passionate about fashion. It is also an opportunity for the museum to embrace other forms of artistic expression and to demonstrate that art extends beyond paintings and sculptures. By celebrating fashion in all its diversity and creativity, the Louvre asserts its role as a cultural mediator and a meeting place between disciplines.
Fashion at the Louvre: A Timeless Dialogue is set to be one of the major cultural events of 2025. Art lovers, fashion enthusiasts, and curious minds from all walks of life will find much to marvel at, ponder, and dream about in this exhibition. By stepping into the Louvre, they will embark on a unique journey at the heart of creativity, where art and fashion engage in mutual enrichment.
