Dior, Chanel, Courrèges: haute couture becomes the must-see fashion exhibition at the museum

Fashion has long been perceived as a mere consumer product. Now, however, it is making its presence felt in Paris’s greatest museums. Visitors flock to admire the iconic creations of the most prestigious fashion houses.

When clothes become works of art

In 2025, the “From Heart to Hand: Dolce & Gabbana” exhibition drew over 420,000 visitors over thirteen weeks to the Grand Palais in Paris. This success testifies to the public’s growing enthusiasm for these cultural events. Houses such as Dior, Saint Laurent, Alaïa, Chanel and Courrèges benefit from unprecedented visibility.

The models presented here are no longer mere garments. They tell a story, an era, a know-how. What’s more, they enable the general public to understand the evolution of trends and design techniques.

Behind the scenes of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs reserves

In mid-March 2026, in Seine-Saint-Denis, Sophie Lemahieu, curator in charge of the fashion and textile collections at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD), opens the doors to an undisclosed location. In this ultra-secure, aseptic maze, every gesture is marked by surgical precaution.

“Fashion heritage is one of the most fragile and difficult to preserve, fading, dusting and tearing very quickly”.

The curator carefully handles a bright yellow Courrèges coat from the 1970s. Hats worn at numerous fashion shows appear, as do shoes of all shapes and colors. There are also Pierre Hardy sneakers and Roger Vivier pumps.

A highly anticipated anniversary exhibition in September 2026

Sophie Lemahieu is the curator of the forthcoming major exhibition “Look! 40 years of fashion at the museum”. In September, this event will celebrate the anniversary of the Musée des Arts de la Mode, which opened within the MAD in 1986. As a result, forty years of collections will be showcased.

• A Courrèges coat from the 1970s
• Hats worn in historic parades
• Shoes in all shapes and colors
• Pierre Hardy sneakers
• Roger Vivier pumps

In the storerooms, the sound of industrial ventilation ensures constant air renewal. Temperature, atmosphere and humidity are maintained at ideal levels. These conditions are essential to preserve fragile textiles.

Each piece is wrapped in Tyvek, a kind of synthetic tissue paper. The garments are hung on hangers in huge closets. Before each exhibition, the works are inspected on tables on castors.

Meticulous conservation work

Fashion demands special attention when it comes to conservation. Fabrics fade rapidly under the effect of light. Dust and tears are a constant threat to these unique pieces.

The MAD teams take great care to maintain optimal conditions. Each time a piece is removed from its packaging, a strict protocol must be followed. This rigorous approach guarantees that our collections will be preserved for future generations.

Popular enthusiasm continues unabated

Major fashion exhibitions attract a varied audience. Informed amateurs and neophytes alike come together to admire the creations of fashion houses. These events help to democratize a world sometimes perceived as inaccessible.

Visitors appreciate the artistic and historical dimension of these presentations. They discover cutting techniques, meticulous embroidery and choice of materials. The garment thus becomes an object of contemplation in its own right.

In 2026, the Parisian cultural scene continues to celebrate the art of clothing. Museums are vying with each other to offer immersive scenographies. This trend confirms that haute couture has definitively conquered its place in the art world.

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