11:15 pm - February 22, 2025
The intersection of art and fashion has long been a topic of debate, with the late Karl Lagerfeld famously declaring, “Art is Art, Fashion is Fashion.” However, a groundbreaking new exhibition at the Louvre, titled “Louvre Couture, Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces,” challenges this notion by exploring the profound dialogue between these two creative disciplines. Running until July 21, the exhibition brings together 45 renowned designers, including Chanel, Balenciaga, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent, to reveal how fashion has drawn inspiration from art and vice versa. With 70 garments and 30 accessories on display, this landmark show is the first-ever fashion exhibition to be held at the Louvre, offering a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of art and fashion from the 1960s to the present day.
While this is the Louvre’s first foray into showcasing fashion, clothing has always played a significant role in the museum’s galleries. From Vermeer’s The Lacemaker to Ingres’ Grand Odalisque, the depiction of attire—or its absence—has been a central element in the creation and interpretation of art. Laurence des Cars, the Louvre’s president, emphasized the importance of this exhibition in making the museum more accessible to new generations and fostering a deeper understanding of the contemporary world. By weaving together fashion and art, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the museum’s lesser-known collections in a unique and engaging way. Olivier Gabet, the Louvre’s director of art objects and the exhibition’s curator, noted, “The Louvre is so much more than just the Mona Lisa,” highlighting the museum’s vast and diverse holdings that have long inspired artists and designers alike.
The exhibition is designed to encourage visitors to wander through the museum’s galleries and discover the intricate connections between fashion and art. Gabet explained that for fashion designers, the Louvre serves as the “ultimate mood board,” a source of endless inspiration. Karl Lagerfeld, for instance, often referred to the Louvre as his “second studio,” drawing ideas from its vast collections. Similarly, Christian Louboutin shared memories of spending hours in the museum as a child, while Yves Saint Laurent was both a designer and an art connoisseur. The personal relationship between these designers and the Louvre is a central theme of the exhibition, which seeks to illuminate the ways in which art has influenced fashion and vice versa.
One of the exhibition’s standout pieces is a Dior silhouette titled Musée du Louvre, which Gabet described as the only haute couture piece in history named after a museum. This gown serves as a symbol of the deep connection between fashion and art, setting the tone for an exhibition that pays homage to major historical periods while offering contemporary reinterpretations. Visitors can see a crystal-embroidered Dolce & Gabbana dress inspired by 11th-century Venetian mosaics, as well as a stunning silk Dior gown featuring a Sun King motif, displayed alongside a baroque portrait of Louis XIV. These pieces exemplify the ways in which designers have drawn upon the Louvre’s rich artistic heritage to create garments that are both timeless and forward-thinking.
The exhibition also highlights iconic works from some of the most celebrated designers of the past century. Gianni Versace’s 1997 metal mesh gown, which took over 600 hours to craft and features Swarovski crystals and Byzantine-inspired embroidery, is a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry of high fashion. This gown not only inspired Kim Kardashian’s 2018 Met Gala look but also played a key role in Donatella Versace’s “Tribute” collection, which celebrated the supermodels of the 1990s. Other pieces, such as Karl Lagerfeld’s 2019 Chanel jacket adorned with motifs from an 18th-century chest, demonstrate how designers have historically looked to the Louvre’s collections for inspiration. Meanwhile, futuristic designs like Balenciaga’s 3D-printed armor gown, displayed alongside Paco Rabanne’s 1967 chainmail tunic, show how medieval influences continue to shape contemporary fashion.
Ultimately, the “Louvre Couture” exhibition is not about asserting that fashion is art, but rather about celebrating the creative dialogue that has long existed between the two. Gabet observed, “Fashion is about creation. The artistic culture shared between great designers—that’s the leitmotif of the collection.” As Paris Fashion Week approaches, this exhibition offers a timely reminder of the enduring influence of art on fashion, while also inspiring designers and visitors alike to rethink the boundaries of creativity. The Louvre’s foray into the world of fashion is just the beginning of this conversation, with the museum set to host the Grand Dîner in March—an event already being hailed as France’s answer to the Met Gala. By blending the timeless allure of art with the dynamic spirit of fashion, the Louvre is paving the way for a new era of cultural collaboration and innovation.