TO VISIT : 5 FASHION MUSEUMS IN PARIS
Paris is home to some of the world’s most influential fashion museums. Be enchanted by the timeless elegance at Musée Yves Saint Laurent, the legacy of Dior at La Galerie Dior, the unique vision of Azzedine Alaïa at the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa and the changing collections at the Palais Galliera and Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
MUSÉE YVES SAINT LAURENT PARIS
The Yves Saint Laurent museum is located in a mansion in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The location to which Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé moved their haute-couture house in 1974. In 2017, more than 15 years after the haute-couture house closed, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris opened.
Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) was 26 years old when he founded his own fashion house with his partner Pierre Bergé. He presented the first collection on Jan. 29, 1962. A start to an era in which he marked the world of fashion and creation.
He introduced bold new forms. For example, he designed the trapèze dress in 1958 while still working for Dior. A dress that fell wide around the waist instead of cinching it in. In the 1960s and 1970s, Yves Saint Laurent set trends such as the pantsuit, thigh-high boots and the tuxedo for women, perhaps his most famous design.
The museum exhibits the work of Yves Saint Laurent. The exhibited designs consisting of dresses and accessories as well as sketches, photos and videos will take you into the creative world of Yves Saint Laurent. His former study can also be visited. It is at this location that the couturier spent nearly 30 years designing his most iconic pieces. Musée Yves Saint Laurent, 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris.
PALACE GALLIERA
Palais Galliera houses the Fashion Museum of the city of Paris. This city palace was once built by order of the Duchess of Galliera. Upon her husband’s death in 1876, the Duchess was heir to a handsome fortune that she used for charitable projects. Commissioned by the Duchess, the Palais Galliera was built with the purpose of holding art exhibitions, open to the public. Finally, the building was not dedicated to fashion and haute couture until the late 1900s. The museum holds one of the most extensive fashion collections in the world, consisting of nearly 200,000 pieces ranging from clothing, accessories, photographs and drawings. Through the museum’s website, you can see what exhibitions are currently taking place. It hosts an average of two exhibitions a year. Palais Galliera, 10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris.
LA GALERIE DIOR
The La Galerie Dior fashion museum opened its doors in 2022 at number 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris. An iconic Dior address that also houses the brand’s flagship store. For Christian Dior, the mansion on this prestigious avenue was love at first sight in 1946. Since then, Dior’s collections have been created here for more than 70 years.
The entrance to the museum is on the side of the building at number 11 rue François 1er. You take the huge spiral staircase up, where the walls are decorated with miniatures of more than 1,000 creations in different colors representing the Dior style from 1947 to the present, the “Diorama.”
The designs of Christian Dior and his six successors Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri will be shown. Through original sketches by Christian Dior, exceptional designs, dresses worn by celebrities, accessories and perfumes, you will be taken into the world of Dior. Most of the pieces have not been exhibited before. You can even watch live as 2 seamstresses work with infinite precision.
La Galerie Dior reflects the individuality of the brand and takes you into the richness of Dior’s history, an invaluable source of inspiration for its designers. After your museum visit, take a look around the store, which also has 2 restaurants. La Galerie Dior, 11, rue François 1er, 75008, Paris.
AZZEDINE ALAÏA FOUNDATION
Azzedine Alaïa established a fundation to protect his work and art collection and organize exhibitions. The fondation is housed in a group of buildings around a courtyard on rue de la Verrerie in Le Marais. The address where Tunisian-born fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa himself lived and worked. At the end of the courtyard is the large exhibition hall with a high glass roof where changing exhibitions are held. On the second floor is a second exhibition hall. Alaïa was a passionate collector in all areas of culture for 50 years. His life was constantly filled with fashion, art, design, architecture, music and theater. The selection in the fondation’s bookstore reflects Alaïa’s passions. In the courtyard, you can take a seat on the café’s terrace. Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, 18 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris.
MUSÉE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS
Musée des Arts Décoratifs holds one of the most important collections of decorative arts in the world. The collection is very broad, from medieval furniture to contemporary design. The rich collection of the Fashion and Textile Department is also part of the museum. Temporary fashion exhibitions are held regularly. These usually take place in the museum’s beautiful nave. Already on the program were the exhibitions of Dior, Thierry Mugler and Margiela. Keep an eye on the museum’s website for current exhibitions. The museum is located in the Marsan wing of the Louvre. After your museum visit, take a seat at the Loulou restaurant located in the same building. Loulou has one of the most beautiful terraces in Paris, located in Jardin des Tuileries. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
