45 Designers, 100 Masterpieces: My take on the Louvre Couture Exhibition
I'm writing this newsletter at Angelina's café rue de Rivoli in Paris after queuing for 45 minutes! Angelina is a Paris institution, although not the best for your waistline. I didn’t second-guess my choice. Their hot chocolate and Mont Blanc dessert were worth the wait.
In this newsletter, I want to share the amazing Louvre Couture Exhibition in Paris. It runs until 21 July 2025. A fashion exhibition in the Louvre? Yes, and they have done it to a high standard!
I had an entry for 3.30 pm and started to queue from 3 pm. You do not have to buy an extra ticket to access Louvre Couture. You can enter with a normal entry, which, at the time I am writing, costs 22 euros.
The exhibition takes you to the second floor via an escalator. You will enjoy views of the outside and the inside courtyard of the museum.
As you enter the exhibition, a stunning black and white satin dress catches your eye. It features the new-look style and beautiful embroidery by Christian Dior. Make sure to grab a leaflet with a map and a list of designers at the entrance. It will help you navigate the path, which I’ve found confusing at times.
There are 100 gowns from 45 design houses on display. Famous names are: Yves St Laurent, Dolce and Gabbana, Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, Dior by John Galliano, and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Schiaparelli by Daniel Roseberry, Louis Vuitton by Nicolas Ghesquière, and Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld and Coco Chanel.
The exhibition is located on the first floor of the Richelieu wing, in the Decorative Objects department. The couture gowns are exhibited along with decorative items from Byzantium, the Middle Ages, through the Second Empire (Napoleon III). They have matched each of the 100 gowns to a specific decorative style. Each of the couture designs stands out among the beautiful decorative art like chunky jewellery from the Middle Ages that you might otherwise not have noticed. The entire exhibition connects fashion designs with decorative pieces next to it. Everything is intentional.
This exhibition aims to show the interaction between fashion and decorative art. All these items showcase the best of French craftsmanship. The juxtaposition is fascinating—centuries-old decorative arts alongside contemporary fashion.
You often get asked about the gown, like: can you spot the decor that inspired it or the patterns on the fabric? This was quite obvious for a few of the gowns.
This exhibition celebrates design and craftsmanship. It honours the legacy of couture houses and the talent of artists from history. These designers haven't reinvented the wheel in art and fashion. Instead, they have drawn their inspiration from previous artists who have established their craft through specific techniques. Olivier Gabet, the new director of the decorative arts department, has revitalised the Louvre Museum. Louvre Couture creates a connection between universal art, such as fashion and decorative art. Making the Louvre more attractive to a younger audience.
This exhibition was a delight. I felt mesmerised and had to pause as I walked through the galleries and the Second Empire Salon, which showcased stunning couture designs.
As a photographer or a creative this exhibition encourages you to seek inspiration beyond your craft and expand your artistic influences. It invites you to look beyond the obvious.
All the designers in the exhibition probably spent hours at the Louvre and browsing art books for inspiration for their bi-annual collections. As you explore the exhibition, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the hidden gems of the Louvre itself.”
The hidden Louvre
Louvre Couture will deliver some unexpected treats like when the exhibition route led me through Louvre’s hallowed galleries, enfilade of period rooms, and spectacular Napoleon III salons. I nearly forgot about the fashion as I wandered. The wooden floor cracked under my steps while I walked through the Second Empire rooms, filled with original furniture and fittings. At some point, I found myself in a small boudoir. The windows looked out over the Pyramid. I thought this might be the most exclusive view in Paris. These period rooms were the ideal backdrop for couture gowns by Balenciaga, Yohji Yamamoto, and Alexander McQueen.
This exhibition is a first and I couldn't have imagined a better setting for it than the Louvre. If you have time, don’t forget to wander in the museum after the exhibition.
Practical stuff if you're planning to go.
Plan at least 2 hours; this will give you time to wander in the other parts of the museum.
Don’t forget a phone charger for all the photos you’ll want to take.
Wear comfortable shoes, as the exhibition requires a lot of walking.
I spent €39.90 on the French catalogue, and I don’t regret it. It has unseen photos, haute couture sketches, and great analyses.
Good to know - There is also an Angelina Café inside the Louvre next to the exhibition with a shorter queue although I can’t guarantee that!
Gosh, they all looks fabulous! I was in Paris on Rue de Rivoli last summer, it wasn’t so glamorous just before the Olympics but such a fantastic city!
Great write up. You’ve inspired me to go. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend visiting the Costume Institute Collection at The Met next time you’re in New York.