Exhibition guide

The Palais Galliera unveils the 18th century fashion exhibition. A fantasy heritage that presents the characteristics of women's fashion in the Age of Enlightenment and its numerous reinterpretations throughout the history of fashion until today. Often perceived as a distant, even dusty century, the 18th century nevertheless constitutes a major stage in the evolution of feminine appearances which still influence the world of fashion and popular culture to this day.

Visit details

  • Dates: From Saturday March 14, 2026 to Sunday July 12, 2026: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Venue: Palais Galliera - musée de la Mode de Paris, 10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, Paris
  • Price: De 0 à 14 euros.
  • Audience: All audiences
  • Source: Event page

About the exhibition

Marked by an unprecedented creative effervescence, the 18th century is distinguished by the diversity of silhouettes, the richness of fabrics and the exuberance of adornments as well as hairstyles. It also marked the end of a female clothing model inherited from previous centuries, opening the way to a new conception of the body and appearance.

From the Second Empire, women's fashion drew heavily on the aesthetics of the Age of Enlightenment, which became a major source of inspiration. In a context of political and social upheavals, the 18th century appeared as a world of elegance and a lost paradise which aroused strong nostalgia.

After the Second World War, French couture, in search of legitimacy to establish itself on the international market, turned again to the luxury know-how developed in the 18th century. The massive dissemination of images by the press, cinema and the entertainment arts transforms this heritage into a visual code immediately identifiable by popular culture.

Progressively, 18th century fashion is no longer just a historical reference but becomes an aesthetic in its own right. The exhibition thus offers a reflection on the way in which fashion and collective memory shape, transform and project this past to make it a still living aesthetic, cultural and symbolic story. Constantly reinvented and idealized, the 18th century resonates with the aspirations of each era. Today, this aesthetic flirts with kitsch, camp and queer universes.

Complete with more than seventy silhouettes, accompanied by fashion accessories, textiles, graphic arts and photographs, the exhibition highlights masterpieces such as Queen Marie-Antoinette's corset, exceptionally presented to the public due to its great fragility. The tour confronts silhouettes from the 18th century with those from subsequent centuries, including iconic outfits from contemporary creation from the collections of Chanel, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Christian Lacroix, Vivienne Westwood, Dries van Noten…

Through three centuries of creation, the Palais Galliera reveals the extent to which 18th century fashion has been reinterpreted, between historical heritage, aesthetic fantasies and creative freedom.