logo
Inside the Louvre's first ever couture exhibition, with treasures from Versace to Dior

Inside the Louvre's first ever couture exhibition, with treasures from Versace to Dior

CNN26-01-2025

Throughout his legendary fashion career, Karl Lagerfeld maintained that 'Art is Art, Fashion is Fashion.' But a new exhibition, ' Louvre Couture, Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces,' might just prove the late German fashion designer wrong. Running until July 21, the exhibition features 45 designers — from Chanel and Balenciaga to Versace and Yves Saint Laurent — revealing an unprecedented dialogue between art and fashion from the 1960s to today.
Seventy garments and 30 accessories by a host of renowned designers are presented in this landmark show — the first fashion exhibition ever staged at the Louvre — with creations often hidden among the museum's nearly 100,000 square feet of rooms and galleries.
While this is the first time the Louvre is exhibiting fashion garments, clothing is omnipresent in its galleries, from Vermeer's 'The Lacemaker' to Ingres' nude, turban-wearing 'Grand Odalisque.' What is worn — or not worn — has always been a central component of the creation and reception of art.
'It's very important for the Louvre to continue to open itself up to new generations and to make its own small contribution to understanding today's world. That is exactly what this exhibition does,' said Laurence des Cars, the museum's president, in an interview at the Louvre.
The collection weaves the threads between fashion and a diverse array of 'art objects' — including tapestries, ceramics, portraits, sculptures and the layout of the Louvre's galleries themselves. Visitors are invited to flâner — or wander aimlessly, as the French saying goes — through the museum and discover its less popular collections.
'The Louvre is so much more than just the 'Mona Lisa',' Olivier Gabet, the museum's director of art objects as well as the exhibition's curator, said with a smile.
While painter Paul Cézanne once observed that 'the Louvre is the book in which we learn to read,' for fashion designers, the museum is the 'ultimate mood board,' observed Gabet. From Lagerfeld to Alexander McQueen, designers have long been inspired by the wealth of collections displayed at the world's biggest museum. Some, like Christian Louboutin, shared with Gabet childhood memories of days spent in its halls. Others, like Yves Saint Laurent, were themselves great art connoisseurs and collectors. For Gabet, the personal relationship between the designers and the Louvre was the starting point for the exhibition.
It's a connection epitomized by the Dior silhouette that opens the exhibition, said Gabet. Entitled, 'Musée du Louvre,' Gabet said that, to his knowledge, it is the 'only piece in the history of haute couture to be named after a museum.
The exhibition pays homage to major historical periods, inviting visitors to rediscover the Louvre's artifacts through the prism of contemporary designers. Highlights include a crystal-embroidered Dolce & Gabbana dress inspired by 11th-century mosaics from Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello, Venice. A spectacular silk Dior gown featuring a Sun King motif is staged before a baroque portrait of Louis XIV himself.
Iconic pieces such as Gianni Versace's 1997 metal mesh gown — previously displayed at the 2018 'Heavenly Bodies' Met Gala exhibition — are also on display. The garment took two of the atelier's seamstresses more than 600 hours — or 25 days — to stitch by hand and is embellished with Swarovski crystals, golden embroidery featuring Byzantine crosses and Versace's signature draping inspired by Ancient Greek peplum dresses.
The gown inspired both Kim Kardashian's gold Versace dress at the 2018 Met Gala and Donatella Versace's iconic 'Tribute' collection the same year, which featured five of the original supermodels: Naomi Campbell, Carla Bruni, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Helena Christensen.
Sometimes, designers' references to objects in the Louvre are literal. Karl Lagerfeld's 2019 collection for Chanel, for instance, featured a striking embroidered jacket whose motif is drawn from an 18th-century blue and white chest by cabinet maker Mathieu Criaerd. Lagerfeld, who considered the Louvre his 'second studio,' sketched his initial designs for the dress on a museum catalog featuring the chest, before sending the final version to the Chanel atelier.
Glamour can even be found in the Middle Ages, with armour-style dresses transforming models into modern Joan of Arcs. French actress Brigitte Bardot was famously photographed by David Bailey in a 1967 Paco Rabanne chainmail tunic, which is featured in the exhibition next to a 3D-printed armour Balenciaga gown.
More often, the broad sweep of history serves as recurrent inspiration for designers, such as Italian Renaissance paintings for Maria Grazia Chiuri at Christian Dior, Medieval tapestries for Dries van Noten, or 18th-century delicacies evoked by John Galliano and Christian Louboutin.
With Paris Fashion Week around the corner, 'Louvre Couture' offers a source of inspiration for designers and visitors alike, illuminating the ongoing dialogue between art and fashion.
'The exhibition is not here to say that fashion is or isn't art,' Gabet concluded. 'Fashion is about creation. The artistic culture shared between great designers — that's the leitmotif of the collection.'
And this is just the beginning of the conversation. In March, the famed Parisian museum will host hundreds of guests for the Grand Dîner, an event that is already being referred to as the first French Met Gala.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Inside Chanel's Star-Studded Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner
Inside Chanel's Star-Studded Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner

Elle

time27 minutes ago

  • Elle

Inside Chanel's Star-Studded Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner

Chanel hosted its 18th annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner at The Odeon last night, drawing a chic crowd to New York City's Tribeca neighborhood. Film, fashion, and visual art stars came together to celebrate the French house's legacy of artistic expression—and the spirit of creativity that defines NYC. The guest list featured both up-and-coming multi-hyphenates and industry legends, including Sofia Coppola, Blake Lively, Allison Janney, Lucy Liu, Mariska Hargitay, Louisa Jacobson, Chase Sui Wonders, Joe Jonas, Molly Gordon, Laufey, Alisha Boe, Nico Parker, Maude Apatow, Olivia Munn, Christy Turlington, Jon Hamm, Lily James, Robert De Niro, and more. Inside The Odeon, candlelit tables and white florals set the mood as guests mingled and posed for photos. The evening unfolded over dinner and conversation as the event honored this year's class of contributing visual artists—selected by curator Zoe Lukov—whose original works were presented to the 2025 Tribeca Festival filmmaker award winners. The lineup included Alteronce Gumby, Faith Wilding, Jane Dickson, Jeffrey Meris, Lauren Halsey, Marilyn Minter, Naudline Pierre, Raúl de Nieves, Simphiwe Ndzube, and Tuan Andrew Nguyen. The full collection will be on view at the Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios. Chanel's continued partnership with the Tribeca Festival underscores its enduring ties to the world of art—a legacy that traces back to founder Gabrielle Chanel's deep connection to the creative vanguard of her time. Scroll through for a look inside the dinner, below. Moriel is the editorial and social media assistant at covering celebrity, culture, and fashion. She previously wrote for The Daily Front Row. When she's off work, you can find her with her nose in a book, taking a dance class, or online shopping.

11 of the best and worst looks celebrities wore to the 2025 BET Awards
11 of the best and worst looks celebrities wore to the 2025 BET Awards

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

11 of the best and worst looks celebrities wore to the 2025 BET Awards

The 2025 BET Awards took place in Los Angeles on Monday. A-list stars attended the show in stylish and daring outfits. Keke Palmer and Doechii wore standout outfits, but other stars didn't look their best. The 2025 BET Awards were a night to remember. From performances by stars like Mariah Carey and Lil Wayne to a memorable speech from Doechii, the awards show, which took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, was full of music and heart. Actors, musicians, and athletes came together for the celebration, arriving in red-carpet looks designed to stun — but some looks were better than others. Take a look at some of the best and worst outfits celebrities wore to the 2025 BET Awards. Keke Palmer dazzled in a vintage Chanel minidress. Palmer arrived at the awards show in a minidress from Chanel's 1993 fall collection. The halter dress was sheer on the bodice, and silver sequins provided Palmer with some coverage. The sequins continued on the navy skirt and tulle train, which puffed out behind her to the mid-calf. Black, pointed-toe heels completed her sexy and fun look. Machine Gun Kelly's yellow top and coordinating tie were too casual. Keeping it simple on the red carpet isn't always a bad move, but Machine Gun Kelly's take on simplicity felt lackluster. He paired a butter yellow top and matching tie with wide-legged black pants and black shoes. The artist could have made his look stand out more with bolder accessories or a statement jacket. Mario's playful ensemble blended fabrics. Mario's custom House of Gray ensemble included a tailored olive green blouse with a subtle sheen and patterned pants. The contrasting patterns blended well, and Mario tied his outfit together with a statement brooch, a silver chain, and sunglasses. He looked glamorous and chic. The elements of Ciara's all-black look didn't work together. Ciara chose a Cong Tri ensemble for the BET Awards. The look included a black blouse, a miniskirt with layers of fringe and a train, heels laced around her ankles, and a sparkly Braves hat. The individual pieces of Ciara's outfit were all stylish, but together, they distracted from each other. The top and hat might have worked better with a pair of trousers rather than the bold skirt. T.I.'s blue suit would have been great with different accessories. T.I.'s powder blue suit from Hideoki Bespoke had a stripe of textured beige fabric across the jacket. He wore a white shirt under the jacket with no tie, and he paired brown boots with the look. The jacket's stripe should have been the focal point of the look, but the boots and lack of tie detracted from it. A tie that matched the stripe or lighter shoes could have brought it all together. Doechii looked effortlessly chic in a Miu Miu set. Doechii's stylish red set featured a bandana top and a low-waisted, pleated skirt that flared around her knees. Both had gold trim on the hem, and the top was embossed with "Miu Miu" in the same color. The "Anxiety" singer completed the outfit with a chained belt, chunky bracelets, brown sunglasses, and purple-flower-adorned heels. Snoop Dogg's monochromatic ensemble was stylish. Snoop Dogg wore a bright blue outfit that coordinated with his wife's look. The outfit featured a knee-length jacket, a blue top, loose-fitting pants, sneakers, and even blue sunglasses. It was put-together and stylish without feeling overly extravagant. There was too much going on in Cam Newton's floral outfit. Newton's fitted silver vest and pants were embroidered with colorful flowers. He wore the vest with no shirt and rolled his pants, and he accessorized the colorful look with green loafers, a polka-dot green neck scarf and tie, and an olive green hat. The vest and pants were pretty, but Newton's styling didn't let them shine. His various green accessories clashed, and he could have emphasized the floral pieces better with fewer, more neutral accessories. Ryan Destiny looked ethereal in a silver gown. Styled by Law Roach, Destiny walked the BET red carpet in a silver Loewe gown. The gown's silky fabric was billowing and ruched, but the dress also had some structured detailing, like a pointed neckline and a cinched waist. Gray pumps and silver jewelry completed the sleek and feminine ensemble. Tyler Perry arrived in a fashion-forward take on a tuxedo. Perry's Louis Vuitton look included wide-legged pants, a white blouse, a black bow tie, and a patterned jacket. The jacket was a fun alternative to a traditional suit. It had a zipper, a sparkly zig-zag pattern, and the LV logo on the chest. With statement sunglasses to complete it, Perry's outfit was both classic and fashion-forward. GloRilla looked daring and chic at the BET Awards. The halter bodice of GloRilla's black dress had tie fastenings that created crisscross cutouts down the center. Structured ruching on the waist spilled into a skirt with a thigh-high slit on one side. The slit spotlighted GloRilla's heels, which laced up her calves and coordinated with the dress. The classic silhouette contrasted with the modern cutouts, creating a balanced look. Read the original article on Business Insider

‘Arcane' Producer Fortiche Teaming With ARTE France on Coming-of-Age Mini-Series ‘Miss Saturne'
‘Arcane' Producer Fortiche Teaming With ARTE France on Coming-of-Age Mini-Series ‘Miss Saturne'

Yahoo

time40 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

‘Arcane' Producer Fortiche Teaming With ARTE France on Coming-of-Age Mini-Series ‘Miss Saturne'

At the Annecy Animation Festival today, Fortiche, the acclaimed French animation house behind the hit series 'Arcane,' announced it is diving into original IP with the upcoming miniseries 'Miss Saturne, a 10×10-minute animated project currently developed in collaboration with ARTE France and Les Storygraphes. 'Miss Saturne' was previously pitched as a feature and appeared at Cartoon Movie in 2017, but has been retooled as ten, 10-minute episode project to better align with younger viewing habits and digital platforms. How closely the new series will adhere to that original pitch hasn't been made clear, but the companies are describing it as a 'generational fiction infused with music.' More from Variety GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to Hong Kong Animated Feature 'Another World,' Premiering at Annecy (EXCLUSIVE) BBC Studios, Blink Industries Team Up for New Animated Martial Arts Series, 'Children Vs Battle SuperStars' 'Mary Anning': Swiss Animation Unearths the Childhood Backstory of a Legendary Fossil Pioneer in Annecy Playing Feature 'Miss Saturne' is based on the novel by Barbara Israël and will target teenagers and young adults with a visually stylized 2D look and a heavy dose of 1980s pop atmosphere. The series is currently in development, with a production start eyed for 2026 and a release scheduled for 2027. It follows 16-year-old Mercy and her companion Tom as they flee their past aboard a night train out of Nice. The story unfolds through flashbacks triggered by a New Wave mixtape, delving into themes of adolescence, grief and personal identity. Screenwriter Louise Silverio, known for 'Happiness' and 'Ceux qui rougissent,' is leading the writing, while Anne Raffin, an alum of 'Arcane' and various music videos, is on board as art director and director. Other confirmed credits include Israël and Vincent Tavier on the literary bible, with Israël's original novel serving as the foundation for the series. ''Miss Saturne' is a unique project that, while rooted in the '80s, captures the essence of adolescence with a musical and emotional intensity that crosses generations,' said Annelyse Vieilledent, co-producer at Les Storygraphes. 'At a time when young people are rediscovering the retro musical repertoire of that decade, I'm convinced that this free, visceral and resolutely pop tale will resonate strongly with them.' Fortiche co-founder Jérôme Combe added: 'With 'Miss Saturne,' we've found a team with the perfect artistic sensibility. Louise Silverio brings her already known flair for coming-of-age stories, having worked on the award-winning series 'Happiness' and 'Ceuxqui rougissent.' Anne Raffin, who worked on 'Arcane' and music videos, fully shares our desire to explore a strong aesthetic for today's youth. This project is an opportunity for us to explore indie animation designed for the new generation.' As part of its development push, Fortiche is actively seeking international partners, broadcasters and distributors interested in young adult animation. Financial support has already been secured from Région Occitanie and Pictanovo. Production is being handled by Fortiche Films (Jérôme Combe, Hervé Dupont), with Les Storygraphes and ARTE France onboard as co-producers. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store