Tisser, broder, sublimer : Les savoir-faire de la mode

From December 13, 2025 to October 18, 2026, the Palais Galliera hosts the exhibition “Weaving, Embroidering, Enhancing: The Craftsmanship of Fashion.” The first part of a trilogy dedicated to fashion crafts, this event gathers over 350 works from the museum’s collections. Through the timeless motif of the flower, it explores ornamentation techniques that turn simple fabric into sublime creation from the 18th century to the contemporary era.

Roses, camellias, and daisies span three centuries of fashion The flower crosses eras as an inexhaustible symbol of beauty, renewal, and refinement in fashion. From the entrance, visitors dive into this fascinating story where roses, camellias, daisies, or nature-inspired abstract motifs decorate dresses, waistcoats, and accessories. From the brocaded textile of an elegant 18th-century men's waistcoat to the delicate petals of Chantilly lace, the flower appears in volumetric plays, vivid or pastel colors, and clever placements reflecting stylistic evolutions. Comme des Garçons, Ready-to-wear dress, Fall-Winter 2016 It represents seasonality, whether spring or autumnal, while showcasing artisans’ technical mastery. The path invites to follow these variations, showing how the floral motif ennobles garments, making them lively and expressive, from the Ancien Régime to modern silhouettes.

Weaving, embroidery, lace, and printing at the heart of creation Weaving, printing, embroidery, lace, and artificial floral adornments form the core of this exhibition. These crafts, often invisible behind famous couturiers' signatures, are revealed in all their complexity. A dress adorned with precise embroideries signed Lesage or Hurel sits alongside a Balenciaga outfit where laser printing recreates petals with contemporary precision. The famous camellia of Gabrielle Chanel, symbol of sophisticated simplicity, dialogues with creations by new contemporary figures like Baqué Molinié or Aurélia Leblanc, designed especially for the occasion. Visitors discover the ancestral skills of embroiderers, feather workers, and floral adorners—exceptional Parisian trades that shine as cosmopolitan centers of textile excellence. Balenciaga by Demna Gvasalia, Ready-to-wear ensemble, Spring-Summer 2016, 2017 This Balenciaga ensemble by Demna Gvasalia shows the meeting of floral tradition and modern technology. Laser printing allows for full floral prints of remarkable precision. The silhouette combines structured shoulders and voluminous proportions, characteristic of the designer’s Spring-Summer 2017 collection. This bold mix of luxurious materials and exaggerated proportions illustrates the avant-garde approach that reshaped the image of the Balenciaga house.

A sensory journey among magnifiers, lights and textures The spatial design favors intimacy and sensory discovery. Tables equipped with magnifiers line the path, inviting visitors to get up close to admire the finesse of embroidery stitches or the subtlety of printing. Soft lighting and airy arrangements highlight textures, reflections, and volumes, creating a contemplative atmosphere where time seems suspended. Garments hanging or displayed on mannequins, fabric samples within reach, antique tools on display: everything contributes to reveal the patience and genius of the hands that shaped these wonders. This educational approach transforms the visit into a tactile and visual experience, sharpening the eye to grasp the hidden poetry in every detail. Comme des Garçons by Rei Kawakubo, Ready-to-wear ensemble, Spring-Summer 2015