This spring, Paris’s Palais Galliera, one of the world’s foremost fashion museums, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the opulent style of the 18th century. From 14 March to 12 July 2026, the exhibition “Fashion in the 18th Century: A Fantasized Legacy” will explore how the artistry, elegance, and excess of the Age of Enlightenment continue to influence design and culture today.
Far from being a relic of powdered wigs and corseted gowns, the 18th century emerges here as a wellspring of creative inspiration. The exhibition traces how its distinctive silhouettes, exquisite fabrics, and intricate craftsmanship echoed through centuries—from the Second Empire’s revivalist grandeur to postwar couture’s search for legitimacy on the global stage.
More than seventy ensembles will be on display, including accessories, textiles, and works on paper, drawing lines between past and present. Notably, Queen Marie Antoinette’s delicate corset will be presented to the public for the first time in decades. Modern interpretations by designers such as Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, and Dries Van Noten reveal how the Enlightenment’s aesthetics have been repeatedly reimagined with wit and nostalgia.
By placing historical garments alongside contemporary designs, the Palais Galliera invites visitors to consider how we reinterpret the past—and how 18th-century fashion continues to inspire modern style and creativity.
For details and tickets, visit www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr.
