At the Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, 2026 is already shaping up to be a year of elegance and excess. Among the year’s most eagerly awaited exhibitions and openings, Fashion in the 18th Century, A Phantasmagorical Legacy promises a sumptuous immersive experience, capable of seducing history buffs and fashion enthusiasts alike. In this prestigious setting, the tour reveals how 18th-century fashion continues to inspire contemporary designers, giving rise to iconic silhouettes by Chanel, Dior, Christian Lacroix and Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga and Vuitton. The highlight of the visit is an exceptional piece steeped in history: a corset that once belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette, a veritable heritage treasure embodying the refinement of the Age of Enlightenment.
From Sculptural Corsets to Vertiginous Hairstyles
Featuring more than 70 silhouettes, the exhibition highlights a key period in the transformation of shapes, volumes, and fabrics. Sculptural corsets and architectural hairstyles showcase that fashion became a language, amplified by the rise of the specialized press. A standout piece captures every eye: the corset that once belonged to Queen Marie-Antoinette. This masterpiece bears witness to the refinement and textile expertise of the Age of Enlightenment.
Chanel, Dior, Lacroix… A Source of Inspiration
This new exhibition won’t just look back. It will reveal how this fashion heritage is constantly reinterpreted, from the 19th century to the 1950s, when French haute couture drew inspiration from the 18th century. The dialogue continues right up to the present day, showcasing iconic silhouettes by Chanel, Dior, Christian Lacroix, and Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton. This interplay demonstrates that, far from being dusty, 18th-century fashion continues to fuel contemporary imagination and creation.
Practical Info:
Exhibition: “Eighteenth-century Fashion, A Fantasized Heritage”
From March 14 to July 12, 2026
Palais Galliera – Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. 10, avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie, 75116 Paris
This exhibition not only emphasizes the brilliance and complexity of 18th-century fashion, but also invites a deeper conversation regarding its enduring influences today. Visitors can expect to be transported through time, making connections between opulent past and the dynamic present of the fashion world.