Paris is famous for its many art museums, but did you know that the fashion capital also dedicates 5 sites to this artistic discipline, which still contributes greatly to its reputation in the world? Whether you are a fashion enthusiast or just a beauty lover, don't miss these 5 magnificent places.
The only permanent fashion museum in France, the Palais Galliera dates from 1878 and has been a showcase for ready-to-wear since 1977.
On 670 m2, it tells its history from the 18th century to today with notably galleries dedicated to Gabrielle Chanel, the famous fashion house having contributed to the renovation and extension of this place initially used as a personal museum by the duchess of Galliera.
From now on, it is no longer works of art from the 19th century that you can admire but the key pieces of fashion history as well as, once or twice a year, temporary exhibitions (Alaïa, Dalida, The Fifties...) always attracting a lot of curious people.
10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75016 Paris
This beautiful Second Empire mansion plunges us into the original atmosphere of the haute couture house founded in 1961. Models accompanied by accessories, sketches, photos or videos: the flagship collections and the most famous pieces of the couturier are highlighted in this 450 m2 space since its opening in 2017. Not to be missed: the former couture salons and studio of the designer. 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris
In a completely different architectural style, this former industrial warehouse from 1907 does not go unnoticed in the Parisian landscape with its facade featuring a bright green snake-shaped staircase on the Seine. With its rooftop, it attracts all the hipsters of the 13th arrondissement but also the scouts of new trends. Its exhibitions often put into dialogue the different artistic currents of fashion with the creations of the students of the IFM (elected best French fashion school in 2015). 36 Quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris
Yes, this museum housed in the Marsan wing of the Louvre Palace does not only house collections related to fine applied arts, It also offers visitors the chance to admire nearly 150,000 fashion pieces! Prototypes by Dior, pieces by Paul Poiret or Madeleine Vionnet, creations by Balenciaga and Lacroix: fashion from the 18th to the 21st centuries can be discovered in this place that also hosts original temporary exhibitions. 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
More confidential, this museum opened in 1993 offers an immersion in a rare know-how. In magnificent rooms (one of which is classified as a historical monument and one has been used as an exhibition space since... 1893!), visitors are invited to discover the iconography of the first fans, the materials (tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl, wood...) and tools used for their manufacture as well as the profession of fan maker. More than 2 500 models of this refined fashion accessory are also visible. 2, boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris
Valerie from Comme des Français
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