Louvre Couture: The Museum's First Fashion Exhibition and Why You Can’t Miss It

What is the Louvre Fashion Exhibition Everyone is Talking About?

For centuries, art has influenced fashion—from the draped fabrics of Renaissance paintings to the ornate embroidery of the Rococo period. Now, the Louvre is showcasing this connection in a dedicated exhibition that everyone wants to see.

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I was one of the first to visit it when it opened in January, so let me tell you what to expect:

• A first-of-its-kind event at the Louvre, blending haute couture with fine art.

• An exhibition curated by Olivier Gabet, Director of Decorative Arts at the Louvre, with each garment and accessories being a special loan from the most iconic fashion houses, both long-standing and recent, in Paris and worldwide.

• The outfits are displayed alongside medieval tapestries, Renaissance ceramics, and Napoleon III furnishings, revealing centuries of artistic influence on fashion.

This exhibition offers a fresh way to experience the Louvre, proving that fashion is more than just clothing—it’s art.

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Essential Visitor Information

📅  When is it open?

• Dates: January 24 – July 21, 2025

• Hours: Open daily except Tuesdays

• Late-night openings: Wednesdays & Fridays until 9 PM

📍  Where is it inside the Louvre?

• Located in the Richelieu Wing.

• From the Louvre Pyramid, head to the left entrance and make your way to Level 1.

• Displays are integrated within the museum’s decorative arts collection.

👉 View the official Louvre exhibition map

🎟️  Do you need a special ticket?

• Good news! Entry is included with a regular Louvre museum ticket.

• I would suggest booking in advance due to high demand, especially around Easter and Summer holidays.

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What Are the Highlights of Louvre Couture?

• 65 couture outfits and 30 accessories (including handbags, jewelry, and shoes) from world-renowned designers.

• Iconic fashion houses featured such as Prada, Alaïa, Dior, Schiaparelli, Mugler and many more.

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👘  How Fashion & Art Intertwine in This Exhibition

Fashion isn’t just influenced by art—it is art.

Many designers have drawn inspiration from the Louvre’s vast collection, including Cristóbal Balenciaga and Iris van Herpen. For example, this Balenciaga’s 3D printed armour-gown displayed next to the French king Henri II's authentic armour!

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You will see that fabric plays a major role in classic paintings, from the folds of Renaissance gowns to the intricate textures in Baroque and Rococo portraits.

The exhibition highlights how art and couture continue to influence each other, from Byzantium to the Second Empire to today’s runways.

Unlike traditional exhibitions, there is no strict path—as a visitor you are encouraged to explore freely and let the artworks and garments spark their own connections.

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✨ A Tribute to Marie-Louise Carven

A special focus is made on the little-known Marie-Louise Carven, the Parisian couturière and founder of the Carven fashion house, who revolutionized fashion for petite women. She was a great art collector, and donated a hundred 18th-century French objects to the museum in 1973.

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🏫  Exploring the Exhibition

Over 9,700 square feet of gallery space, fashion pieces are displayed thematically, allowing you to explore at your own pace.

My must-see area? The Napoleon III Apartments, where couture pieces are dramatically presented in opulent, gilded surroundings! Check out this red dress from Dior 2005 haute couture collection designed by John Galliano, a perfect fit for the room from the late XIXth century that most likely inspired him.

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🎖️  Why This Exhibition Matters

• This is the Louvre’s first-ever fashion exhibition, allowing the museum to expand its focus beyond classical art to include contemporary artistic expression.

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• With this exhibition, the Louvre encourages visitors to look beyond its “greatest hits”, and discover hidden gems in the museum. The aim is clear, attract new generation back to the museums and show them that there is more than just the Mona Lisa. As a Paris tour guide, I’ve already noticed a huge shift—areas that were once overlooked at the museum are now buzzing with excited French visitors thanks to this exhibition.

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• This exhibition is perfectly in sync with 2025' Paris Fashion Week, marking a shift toward fashion as a serious art form. This might just be the game-changer for the future of the Paris fashion scene.

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• And how can I talk about this new exhibition without mentionning the obvious parallel and potential rivalry with the Met-Gala. Here the Louvre is not just showcasing fashion—it’s making a statement. The Met Gala has long been the gold standard of fashion-meets-art exhibitions, held annually at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Now, the Louvre is stepping up, launching its own fashion gala event on March 4, 2025, to coincide with Paris Fashion Week. The fundraising gala in the Cour Marly has already surpassed its €1 million fundraising target, with 30 exclusive tables set for fashion’s elite. Could this be the start of an annual tradition—a Parisian answer to the Met Gala? Only time will tell.

Final Thoughts: Is Louvre Couture Worth Visiting?

If you love fashion, history, or art like I do, this exhibition is one I would recommend because it's:

• A rare chance to see couture and fine art side by side.

• A new way to experience the Louvre, beyond the usual highlights.

• A visually stunning, exclusive experience that’s perfect for fashion lovers and museum enthusiasts alike.

And if you want to combine the highlights of the Louvre with its temporary fashion while you’re in Paris, why not book a tour to navigate the largest museum with ease and some little help from a guide? ;)

Go Further: Other Must-See Fashion Exhibits in Paris

And what if you want more fashion after Louvre Couture? I suggest checking out:

• Dior Gallery – Dedicated to the House of Dior’s history.

• Palais Galliera – Paris’ fashion museum with rotating exhibits.

• Grand Palais – Current exhibition around Dolce&Gabbana’s creations.

• Go on a shopping tour around some popular shopping neighborhoods like Le Marais 😉