Exclusively in Paris, there is a new trio of exhibitions, giving visitors a taste of history, styles and fashions. The Joséphine exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg will be shown through June 29.
Married to Napolean Bonaparte, and crowned the Empress of France, she was assigned the role of an “ambassador”, promoting luxury items that were “Made in France”. Alan Pougetoux, curator of the exhibition says, “She wore three to four different dresses a day and rarely wore the same dress twice.”
The exhibit shows the chic empress’ love for jewelry – and lot’s of it! Her extra large pieces and treasure chest of expensive pieces are shown, along with pieces from Hippolyte Leroy, her preferred tailor, who supplied her with embellished dresses, with embroideries, pearls, rubies, and even diamonds!
From Watteau to Fragonard is an exhibit at the Musée Jacquemart-Andre through July 21, which highlights painter Antoine Watteau and his infatuation with and invention of “courtship parties”. Mary Tavener Holmes, the curator of this exhibit, explains that “the term was evocative of human relationships, including manners, grace, intelligent conversion, music — and fashion…In 18th-century France people dressed with intent, and clothes delivered a message; it was all about presentation and self-definition.”
The show consists of pieces of Chantilly lace, Lyon silk, and lavish gowns, motifs, and textiles, used for inspiration to many painters at the time.
Paris 1900 will be shown until August 17 at the Petit Palais. The exhibit looks deeper into the first glimpses of “couture” – what is was, how it came about, and how it used to look in the early days. It also highlights Art Nouveau, the translated of art onto fashion and jewelry, and the birth of “Parisian Chic”. It shows Pairs in full light, and it became the fashion capital of the world during this time period, where everyone upper and lower class followed the trends.
See where the fashion industry started and how far it’s come! If you’re in love with fashion, or just want to learn more about it’s evolution in one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world ever, visit one or all of these exhibits in Paris before the summer season ends!
