As 2025 begins, clothes are more than ever recognized as cultural objects worthy of study. They can be found not only in institutions dedicated to fashion, such as the Palais Galliera in Paris, but also in art museums, some of which, like the Louvre, had never made room for them before. At the same time, fashion brands continue to invest huge resources in showcasing their heritage. Here's an overview of the major fashion exhibitions kicking off the year.
Dolce&Gabbana, which had never before ventured to exhibit its archives, has pulled out all the stops. The "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana" exhibition was first presented in Milan in 2024 under the gilded ceilings of the Palazzo Reale, before landing at the Grand Palais this year. The curator is historian Florence Müller, who previously organized the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective at the Petit Palais in 2010 and the monumental Dior exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 2017. For Dolce&Gabbana, she created a lush scenography in harmony with the 200 or so haute couture silhouettes on display. Italian cultural heritage sets the tone for the exhibition, with rooms devoted to Luchino Visconti's The Leopard (1963), ancient Rome, opera, glassware and more. Royal headdresses, monumental trains, gowns adorned with feathers or crystals, intricate embroidery, cascades of gold... A feast for the eyes!
"From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce&Gabbana," until March 31, at the Grand Palais, Paris 8th.
Fashion has entered the Louvre! This is thanks to Olivier Gabet, former director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and now head of the Louvre's Department of Decorative Arts, who is also the curator of this exhibition. Spanning almost 9,000 square meters, the exhibition features some 100 iconic silhouettes and accessories from the history of fashion, selected between 1960 and 2025, and paired with works of art from the museum. For example, a Chanel 2019 ensemble embroidered with ostrich feathers inspired by an 18th-century chest of drawers, or a 1990 Givenchy suit in brocaded silk damask echoing the copper and tortoiseshell marquetry of a cabinet by André-Charles Boulle. As the Louvre has no clothing collection of its own, with the exception of a few coats from the Order of the Holy Spirit, 45 couture houses, including Balenciaga and Iris van Herpen, lent pieces for the event.
You have 54.08% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.