After two years of intensive construction and extensions, the Palais Galliera, the City of Paris' Museum of Fashion, will be opening its doors on October 1st for an exhibition celebrating Gabrielle Chanel. As surprising as it may seem, this is the first retrospective exclusively dedicated to the fashion icon in her hometown. Until March 14, 2021, visitors can explore the universe of Miss Chanel. The exhibition will feature some of the creator's notable pieces, including the famous jersey sailor's dress, the little black dress, the timeless tweed suit, the two-tone shoe, the 2.55 bag, and costume jewels that the house is still known for today. Miren Arzalluz debuts her first exhibition as the institution's acting director since Olivier Saillard handed her the reins in 2018.
The anticipation is only heightened by the museum's reopening. Welcoming the public for the first time in 1977, it inherited the costume and accessories collections that had previously been conserved at the Carnavalet Museum. As the collection expanded throughout the years thanks to acquisitions and numerous donations from couture houses, it's now home to over 200,000 pieces. Under Olivier Saillard's direction from 2010 to 2018, the museum really spread its wings. It quickly became known for its brilliant curation, with unforgettable highlights like 2013's Alaïa retrospective, followed by Jeanne Lanvin in 2015, and Martin Margiela in 2018. The Palais also programmed memorable shows dedicated to Countess Greffuhle in 2016, an inspiration for Marcel Proust; Cristobal Balenciaga in 2017; and Dalida in 2017.
Today, the museum includes new galleries that will host the first permanent collection presenting the history fashion in Paris. Starting in October, visitors can discover new spaces open to the public — the magnificent arched cellars in red brick and cut stone have been renovated and transformed into exhibition spaces. Indeed, the Palais seems to have nearly doubled in size. Until now, the museum only presented temporary exhibitions and, between events, was closed to the public. Fashion enthusiasts can also enjoy the new bookstore, open year-round. Fantastic news!
The exhibition "Gabrielle Chanel, Fashion Manifesto" will be held from October 1, 2020 to March 14, 2021 at the Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, 10, avenue Pierre-1er-de-Serbie, 75016.