Printemps Haussmann dedicates 800 m² to designer footwear until 28 October
What if a pair of shoes could tell the story of an era? That is the wager behind Printemps Haussmann‘s exhibition “Pas à Pas” (Step by Step), on view until 28 October 2026 in the Coupole Wybo on the sixth floor of the Parisian department store. Across 800 m², the designer shoe becomes the guiding thread of a journey as ambitious as it is singular.
11 sections to understand everything about designer footwear
The exhibition is structured around 11 thematic sections: Passage, Evolutions, Fétiche, Performance, Formes, Empreintes, Résonance, Parure, Transparence, Figuration and Ebauche. Each one approaches the shoe from a distinct angle, weaving together artisanal craftsmanship, the heritage of the great fashion Houses, and formal innovation. This framework ensures visitors never settle into a single reading of the subject.
Among the pieces on display are rare models drawn from the store’s own archives, shoes on loan from partner museums, and creations by major luxury Houses. Vertiginous ankle boots imagined by Jean Paul Gaultier sit alongside Vivienne Westwood’s platform heels from the 1990s and a striking array of sneakers. The breadth of the pieces reflects the richness of the curatorial vision.
A cultural initiative built to last at Printemps Haussmann
This is not the department store’s first foray into this territory. The exhibition follows two previous presentations, one devoted to jackets, another to handbags. Edition by edition, Printemps Haussmann is building a genuine cultural programme around the defining categories of fashion.
As part of this initiative, the store has forged a partnership with ESMOD. Around ten fashion students were invited to offer their own interpretation of the loafer. Their creations are integrated into the exhibition, bringing a contemporary perspective rooted in training and formal research.
What the ESMOD students bring to the exhibition
The inclusion of work by ESMOD students adds real depth to the exhibition’s broader argument. By choosing the loafer as a starting point, Printemps Haussmann gives a group of emerging designers a platform within one of Parisian fashion’s most iconic spaces. This dialogue between historical archives and fresh perspectives lends “Pas à Pas” a genuinely educational dimension.
- Pieces drawn from the store’s archives and partner museums
- Creations by Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood, among others
- 11 thematic sections spread across 800 m²
- A partnership with ESMOD centred on the loafer
- Three ways to visit: free roaming, audio guide via QR code, or guided tour
How to visit “Pas à Pas” at Printemps Haussmann
The department store has designed access to the exhibition with flexibility in mind. Free roaming is the most accessible option, as entry is free of charge. For a deeper experience, an audio guide is available from the entrance via a QR code to scan on arrival.
One-hour guided tours are also on offer, led by specialist lecturers. These require advance booking and are subject to availability. This format allows visitors to explore each section with expert commentary, turning what might be a casual outing into a fully immersive fashion experience.
The exhibition “Pas à Pas” is on view at the Coupole Wybo, 6ème étage, 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, until 28 October 2026. With this initiative, Printemps Haussmann reaffirms its ambition to position the department store as a fully-fledged cultural space, open to all and firmly anchored in contemporary creation.
