early black and white designs
exhibit view gowns 1960s and 1970s
Evening Looks by Balenchiaga, 1967
Pink feather gown by Givenchy, colorful evening ensemble by Christian De La Croix
modern 70s dress: by Courrèges, dark suit: Lagerfeld for Chanel
Pink cape by Christian De La Croix, Dior gowns
fashion: Dior by John Galliano, 1998, back:red cape by Christian de Lacroix,
Be Welcomed by the Classic designs in a dramatic setting. The exhibit for You, Fashionistas, Fans of classic Couture. This exhibit is an absolute Must See in Paris, right Now. Designed to be an event that completes Fashion Week, this is your opportunity to delve into a visual history of French Haute Couture, from the beginnings of small couture alteliers until the mid 1990s, with the establishment of "Couture Houses" and the creation of modern fashion brands. This exhibit is ongoing until the Summer.
The Ville de Paris, Hotel de Ville, City Hall, is a grand venue for this exhibit. In a magnificent setting, (classical 19th Century architecture,) you are on a stroll back to the origins of Haute Couture, beginning in early 1900 in Paris, until the highlights in the 1990s.
Curator and Fashion Historian, Mr. Olivier Saillard, has used his knowledge of fashion history so skillfully. He has assembled a remarkable show that allows the viewer to understand the cultural importance and historical back ground of fashion. By displaying some very recognizable pieces from iconic designers such as Chanel, Worth, Jean Patou, we are reminded just how revolutionairy fashion was in the 1920s, and how far our social conventions and the standards of beauty have evolved in the last 100 years.
The Beginnings of Haute Couture in Paris around 1850 with the establishment of the Couture House Worth.
couture atelier early 1900s
Not only a historical chronicle of fashion, this exhibit shows French Haute Couture at its Best. Some pieces by designers, such as Lavin, Chanel, Jean Patou, Molyneux, Balmain, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, to Pierre Cardin, Courèges, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurant, Christian Lacroix... are are easily recognizable.
The sumptuous materials, the silks, the beading and feathers, all give rise to the dream full of beauty and creative inspiration that Haute Couture has become. Far more than just clothing these pieces are showpieces and art, created with now almost extinct techniques and workmanship. These creations offer a glimpse of the fashion industry, the related trades, and the manufacture of fine accessories, fabrics and parsementry, all a part of french history, developed from a rich heritage of the Art of Dressing, since the days of the Court of Versailles. It also shows what an important component Fashion and its products have been and still are for French industry.
Chanel designs on manequins
Left: white suit by Chanel.
Somber and Sparkle and experiment 1980s.
Travel through time fashion on the podium.
This exhibit is made possible through generous loans of iconic and memorable pieces by ladies lucky enough to own them and gifts to the Musée Galliera. Reading the list of contributing ladies reads like a Who’s Who of guests from a Couture show itself. Don’t miss it.
Now is the perfect time to see “Paris Haute Couture” the crowds are gone, the Summer Tourist Season has not yet started.
Enjoy,
Jasmin
Where: Exhibit "Paris haute couture" At 'Hôtel de Ville de Paris, Paris City Hall, 4ieme Arondissement, Paris, France
Hôtel de Ville
Salle Saint-Jean
5 rue Lobau, Paris 4e
Métro : Hôtel de Ville, Rambuteau, Pont-Marie, Saint-Paul
When: March 2 2013 – July 6 2013
more information: www.paris.fr/haute-couture
Sponsored in part by Swarovski, Ville de Paris, Musée Galliera
In collaboration with the Musée Galliera, Paris, curated by Olivier Saillard, Directeur du Musée Galliera, Assisté de Emmanuelle Serrière.
photo credit: all photos exhibit: Paris Haute Couture, Musée Galliera, Ville de Paris, Mairie de Paris.
