Our tips for visiting the Louvre Couture exhibition
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Launched at the end of January, the Louvre Couture exhibition reveals an unprecedented dialogue between art and fashion objects. In total, around a hundred pieces created by 45 houses are displayed in the heart of the Louvre’s permanent collections. Combining history and haute couture, this “double visit” is both intriguing and interesting. However, one can easily miss out due to a rather random layout… Therefore, discover our tips to ensure you don’t miss a thing!
How does the Louvre Couture exhibition connect history and fashion?
What sets the Louvre Couture exhibition apart is its unique narrative. Located in the department of decorative arts, the selection of outfits and accessories follows the chronological timeline of the collection, thus echoing the museum’s treasures with the creations of the designers.
Inspired by history, its colors, patterns, and symbols, the haute couture silhouettes are revealed among objects and showcases, highlighting how the arts and techniques resemble and influence each other. We discover creations with cuts inspired by period costumes, others playing with religious symbols or architectural motifs, accessories replicating figurines, or even bringing a fashionable twist to the sacred.
The Louvre Couture exhibition thus takes us on a journey from the Byzantine era to the Second Empire, passing through the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. This crossing of eras highlights how fashion feeds off the past to create a vision of the present. And, how influences intertwine to resurrect periods that are now far behind us.
45 houses gathered in the same exhibition
The Louvre Couture exhibition offers a rare chance to discover such a diverse array of pieces. Bringing together creations made from the 1960s to today, the outfits and accessories presented showcase the work of 45 houses. One can observe the signature style of each artistic director who has led them and how their styles have marked the history of haute couture. Moreover, since the displayed models are so different, each creator and designer stands out.
Art objects back in the spotlight
Installed here and there, the silhouettes allow visitors to delve into areas of the museum that are sometimes less frequented. This game of hide-and-seek thus provides the opportunity to discover absolutely splendid rooms, both in their decoration and the objects presented there.
Is the Louvre Couture exhibition worth a visit?
To begin with, I had to go to the Louvre Couture exhibition twice to see all the displayed pieces… But I’ll give you my tips right after to ensure a perfect experience from the first visit.
In terms of feeling, I would say that my opinion on the Louvre Couture exhibition is a 50/50. Initially, I expected a more “traditional” scenography that would better showcase the pieces. Thus, the chosen layout somewhat confused me….
It’s worth noting that the idea of echoing art objects and the creations of fashion houses is very interesting, as it enriches the story of the couture piece. However, these pieces are really scattered throughout the rooms and often get lost among showcases and imposing objects. As a result, the creations lose their significance and presence by being “swallowed” by the museum’s busy decor, which obscures their craftsmanship details, making them quickly invisible.
Apart from this scenography point, which is 100% subjective and will depend on each individual, there is a downside that seems to have everyone in agreement: the flow of the visit, which quickly turns chaotic. The Louvre Couture exhibition spans an entire floor of the Richelieu wing. This means: it’s huge, filled with a multitude of pieces, sub-pieces, corridors, and other passages, detours, and dead ends. In summary: a labyrinth, where one can easily miss parts of the displayed pieces, especially since there is little, if any, signage…
How to fully enjoy the exhibition?
With two visits under my belt, here are some tips to fully enjoy the exhibition.
- Avoid the free evening openings (too many people jostling in the rooms, some of which are really narrow + the museum starts closing at 8:45 PM – early).
- Download the guide map on your phone in case the stock of maps is depleted (which happened to me during my first visit) + allows you to check off the creations seen as you go along.
Among the must-sees, I would say the following rooms: 523, 544, 547, 602. And, my favorite is the beaded LOEWE dress, designed by Jonathan Anderson for the Fall/Winter 2024/2025 collection, which I had dreamed of seeing. Also, I recommend watching the (short) video in room 506, which shows the installation work of the exhibition.
In summary: it is far from being the fashion exhibition that has won me over the most, however, the idea of mixing couture creations with pieces from the museum creates an interesting and new dialogue. You have until July 21, 2025 to discover it.
