From January 24 to July 21, 2025, the Louvre Museum is hosting a groundbreaking event: its first-ever exhibition entirely dedicated to fashion. This major event, entitled "Louvre Couture," is being held in the galleries of the Department of Decorative Arts, covering an area of ​​nearly 9,000 square meters. It offers a unique dialogue between contemporary haute couture and iconic pieces from the Louvre's collections, spanning periods from the Byzantine era to the Second Empire.

The exhibition showcases 65 outfits and 30 accessories designed by some of the biggest names in fashion, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Yohji Yamamoto, Dolce & Gabbana, and the pioneering Marie-Louise Carven. The creations are displayed alongside historical objects from the museum's collection, including Henry IV's armor, tapestries, silverware, and precious furniture. This fusion of classical art and contemporary fashion reveals the influence of history and art on designers, while also highlighting the richness of the Louvre's collections.

Under the direction of Olivier Gabet, head of the Decorative Arts department, this exhibition is part of a renewal process for the institution. Gabet, former director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, aims to explore how art collections can inspire designers and to highlight the importance of museums in the creative process of fashion designers. Nathalie Crinière, known for her bold exhibition designs (notably at the Dior Gallery and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs), is responsible for the scenography.

Until now, the presence of fashion at the Louvre had been limited to shows, such as those of Louis Vuitton in the Marly courtyard, or to more modest exhibitions, such as the one devoted to Yves Saint Laurent in 2022. This new exhibition aims to be much more ambitious, with the objectives of attracting a new audience and promoting the Department of Decorative Arts, often unknown to the general public.

The event also provides an opportunity to pay tribute to Marie-Louise Carven, a key figure in French fashion. In 1973, the designer donated a collection of 18th-century objects to the Louvre, highlighting her deep connection to art. Today, the House of Carven, led by Louise Trotter, continues to perpetuate this legacy.

The influence of art on fashion has been extensively explored in several recent works, such as Sophie Fontanel's *Défilé au Louvre* and Sabine de La Rochefoucauld's *Louvre haute couture*, which analyze clothing representations in the museum's paintings. This exhibition at the Louvre extends this reflection, exploring the connections between fashion creations and works of art throughout the centuries.
“Louvre Couture” promises a unique experience, uniting for the first time in this legendary location two worlds that, far from being opposed, mutually enrich each other. The Louvre thus paves the way for new forms of artistic expression, confirming that fashion, like art, reflects its time and heritage.

"LOUVRE COUTURE" THE LOUVRE, DEPARTMENT OF ART OBJECTS
UNTIL JULY 21, 2025
PARIS 1ST
LOUVRE.FR