Exhibits to see in Paris between fashion shows
Paris's haute couture fashion week is almost upon us, but before fashionistas can marvel at the incredible designs showing upon the catwalks July 5-9, there is plenty to see in the nation's capital.
"Déboutonner la mode" (Unbuttoning Fashion)
Though this little round object seems insignificant today, all but replaced by zippers and Velcro, there was a time when it had its very own special place in the construction of clothing. Halfway between a jewel and a functional object, the button is the star of the moment at the Musée des Arts décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts). On exhibit will be a collection of some 3000 buttons, dating from the 18th century to the 20th century. This collection of buttons has in fact been declared a work of major heritage interest by the advisory committee for national treasures.
"Déboutonner la mode" runs through July 19 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
"Jeanne Lanvin"
Luxury house Lanvin is the oldest French fashion house still in existence. The Palais Galliera pays tribute to its founder with a retrospective that includes some 100 items. The exhibit was organized in close collaboration with Alber Elbaz, Lanvin's current artistic director.
"Jeanne Lanvin" runs through August 23 at the Palais Galliera.
"Jean Paul Gaultier"
The Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit, which began at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, has set up shop at the Grand Palais in Paris until August 3. On the program, 175 haute couture creations and ready-to-wear pieces dating back to 1976, stage costumes, clips from films, fashion shows and concerts, but also archive documents presented to the public for the first time.
"Jean Paul Gaultier" runs through August 3 at the Grand Palais.
"Mannequin d'artiste, mannequin fétiche. Pratiques et fasciation dans l'atelier d'artiste" (Mannequins: from the Artist's Studio to Fetish Object)
The model is not reserved just for catwalks. It's also the companion of artists interested in physiognomy. A point of reference before becoming the subject of the artwork, the artist's model can quickly become the object of fetishism for the artist. The musée Bourdelle takes a look at this strange relationship through more than 160 works of art.
"Mannequin d'artiste, mannequin fétiche. Pratiques et fasciation dans l'atelier d'artiste" runs through July 12 at the Musée Bourdelle.
"Hip-Hop du Bronx aux rues arabes" (Hip-Hop from the Bronx to the Arab Streets)
L'institut du monde arabe (The Arab World Institute) is hosting an exhibit honoring hip-hop culture, from its birth in the United States to its spread through the Arab world. Alongside hundreds of historic works created by American and French artists (music, writing, graffiti, street art and dance), the exhibit will also have a section dedicated to the fashion associated with this movement, notably the sneaker.
"Hip-Hop du Bronx aux rues arabes" runs through July 26 at the Institut du monde arabe.
