The Louvre Museum has opened its doors to the world of high fashion with Louvre Couture, an extraordinary exhibition running from 24 January to 21 July 2025. The exhibition delves into the deep ties between French decorative arts and contemporary couture, offering visitors a unique perspective on how centuries-old craftsmanship continues to inspire modern design.
Set within the Department of Decorative Arts, the exhibition occupies nearly 9,000 square metres, showcasing 65 garments and accessories alongside the museum’s historical masterpieces. From Byzantine relics to Second Empire treasures, the display highlights how designers have drawn from the museum’s rich collections to create fashion that resonates across time. Pieces are on loan from leading global fashion Houses, including Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Schiaparelli and Balenciaga.
Curated by Olivier Gabet, the exhibition sheds light on how fashion and art share common ground, such as the use of ancestral techniques and a shared visual culture. Unlike traditional fashion displays, Louvre Couture takes a methodological approach, pairing couture pieces with artefacts from the museum’s collection to highlight their shared craftsmanship and aesthetic lineage. For example, visitors can trace parallels between Karl Lagerfeld’s 18th-century-inspired designs and period furniture or see how contemporary designers like Marine Serre and Iris van Herpen reinterpret historical techniques for a modern audience.
The exhibition is also a celebration of the mutual support between fashion and art. The Department of Decorative Arts has benefited from the generosity of iconic fashion figures, including Jacques Doucet and Madame Carven, who contributed to its collection. The exhibit, in turn, acknowledges these connections, offering a fresh lens to view the Louvre’s decorative masterpieces.
To mark the occasion, the Grand Diner du Louvre will be held on 4 March, an exclusive fundraising gala sponsored by Visa Infinite. The event has already raised €1 million, with all tables sold out. This groundbreaking exhibition invites fashion enthusiasts and art lovers alike to witness how two creative worlds merge to tell timeless stories of beauty, craftsmanship, and inspiration. Louvre Couture is open to the public in French, English, and Italian.
