by Janine MacDonald
Early in 2025, I slipped away from visiting family in Holland to spend some personal time in Paris. There, in the national museum and art gallery of France, I indulged myself in Louvre Couture, an exhibition that explores how the past influences the creations of the present. Oh, my! Every maker ought to visit that exhibit. It was glorious: sumptuous garments, beautiful designs, interesting techniques, and, of course, an incomparable setting.
The sixty-five designs displayed in the Louvre’s Department of Decorative Arts are on loan from forty-five iconic fashion houses, and they are paired with textiles, tapestries, furniture, and other décor items in the Department of Decorative Arts.
Enough said! Words cannot do justice to the art and fashion on display. I hope these images (taken on a return visit to the exhibit) will inspire you and possibly even tempt you to visit. The exhibition is open until August 24, 2025. https://www.louvre.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/exhibitions/louvre-couture
1. Designed by John Galliano of Christian Dior (2005 Season)
I can imagine that the large florals of the wall tapestries inspired the floral decoration on this gown:
2. Designed by Jeremy Scott of Moschino (2022/23 Season)
Furniture as garment made me smile. Seems to me this designer has a sense of humour.
3. Designed by Pieter Mulier of Alaia (2024/25 Season)
You will have to look very closely and enlarge the image to see the innovative use of yarn by this designer.
4.Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi of Fendi (2019/20 Season)
The tapestry, the mirror, the carpet, and then the gown. Fabulous!
5.Designed by Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel (2019 Season)
Karl Lagerfeld was a frequent visitor to the Louvre, and he chose to mimic the blue and white decoration on the side table for this blazer.
