Fashion Exhibitions Part 1: An Haute Couture Scavenger Hunt!!

Louvre Couture: A Stylish Day at the Museum

As they say, “Paris is always a good idea”, especially with a bestie!!

My friend and I recently to a long-awaited trip to Paris (sort of a mini class reunion). We first met on an Interior Design School trip to Paris in July 2001. We were kindred spirits-both married, second-time students in our thirties, excited about having a month away from all responsibility to study interior design, architecture and enjoy all that Paris and France had to offer!!! (Sorry, hubbies!)

For this go-around, I asked if she’d be up for visiting the Louvre Couture exhibition: “Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces.” She knows how much I love fashion, and being the good friend she is, she said, “Oui, bien sûr!” I made sure to get us tickets for the first entry of the day. The Louvre draws over 30,000 visitors a day, most headed straight for the Mona Lisa. However, this exhibit was generating quite a buzz too, and I wanted to experience it before the crowds descended!

Packing with Purpose

Of course, planning what to wear for Paris, and couture, is always part of the fun (check out my packing blog). I couldn’t just show up in a T-shirt and jeans for such an event. That’s not how I roll!!

Originally, I had a dress in mind, thinking May would be warm (well, warmer than Chicago). A chance visit to @Jujusvintage made me rethink everything!!! On the rack: a cropped jacket with vintage perfume bottles caught my eye. Oh, this jacket had that je ne sais quoi!!

With the weather chillier than expected, I paired the jacket with wide-leg jeans and my cute silver tennis shoes; still l fashionable, yet comfortable for hours of walking to come. And the jacket was a hit with passersby. that always puts a little pep in my step!

Insider Tips for Visiting the Exhibit

Thanks to advice from the Louvre Diva @Claudinebleublonderouge and  fashion expert @fxtparis , we treated our visit almost like a curated scavenger hunt!!! Here is the advice from them as well as moi!

1. Book the earliest time slot – you’ll have more space to absorb the details.
2. Double-check your ticket date – we saw people turned away for showing up on the wrong day.
3. Use the outdoor entrance (unless you’re part of a tour group).
4. Bring a pen to mark off pieces on the guide – we missed two, and I’m still thinking about them.
5. Grab or print an exhibit map (the exhibit is in the Richelieu wing).
6. Start at piece #88 and work backward – it helps avoid bottlenecks.
7. Look carefully – not all the pieces are center-stage.
8. Allow 2.5–3 hours and plan a break – there are dining options among the fashion goodness.
9. Don’t rush it – it’s not just an exhibit, it’s an experience.

Fashion Meets Art

The exhibit, curated by Olivier Gabet, is brilliantly done. It places 99 pieces of fashion – from ready-to-wear to haute couture, vintage to modern, classical to whimsical – all intentionally set within the museum’s permanent art collection. The pairings are thoughtful, sometimes surprising, and often stunning.

Even if you aren’t especially into fashion, it is quite impressive to see the garments and accessories woven throughout the surrounding artwork.  The craftsmanship is undeniable even if they aren’t made of canvas and paint. These artisans used needles as their paint brush.

The exhibit includes designs from major houses like Dior, Chanel, Mugler, and Givenchy. I can’t imagine how hard it was to narrow it down to just 99. I took photos of almost everything (minus the two we missed), and while I debated buying the exhibition book, I passed only because it was heavy, and my suitcase was already at capacity.

 

Final Thoughts

Whether you work in interior design, architecture, fashion, or simply appreciate artistry, this exhibit is well worth your time. It reminds me of what I always think when I see textiles, furniture, or fabric, good design is good design and can always be appreciated.

If you find yourself in Paris and want to experience something truly special and a visual feast, then this is worth adding to your agenda. And maybe bring a jacket that sparks conversation. You never know when your outfit might be part of someone else’s inspiration!!

If you find yourself in Paris before it closes (check closure date on the website ) and want to experience something truly special and a visual feast, then this is a worthy addition to your agenda. And maybe bring a jacket that sparks conversation. You never know when your outfit might be part of someone else’s inspiration!!

Please share your thoughts if you saw the exhibit. What was your favorite piece?!!

Au Revoir!