The Louvre stands as one of the richest sources of inspiration in the world. An institution that houses some of the most admired and revered artworks in history, it has long served as a fountain of beauty and creativity for generations. And as the debate over whether fashion can truly be considered an art form endures, Marine Serre takes assured strides to show that the two are, in fact, one and the same.
Continuing her two-season hiatus from the fashion week calendar, Serre has collaborated with the Louvre to unveil a couture collection inspired not only by the great artists and masterpieces housed within its walls, but also by the very tools that make such art possible. In her hands, paintbrushes, pigment tubes, and crisp white shirts go beyond their function to become artworks in their own right.
La Joconde, otherwise known as the Mona Lisa, sits at the heart of the collection. For five centuries, Leonardo da Vinci’s work has captivated creatives exploring the space between realism and imagination. For one garment, Serre interprets this idea in a playful way, using puzzle pieces to fragment the iconic image before reassembling it as a dress depicting the portrait. Taking 420 hours to construct, the piece highlights Serre’s dedication to fashion as a labour of intricate love from the very beginning.
Shown in a series of photographs reminiscent of living paintings, the collection features five one-of-a-kind couture pieces, with the brand’s moon emblem — first introduced nine years ago — remaining ever-present. Highlights include a high-neck gown crafted entirely from paintbrushes, 850 in total, mesh panels printed with the moon motif on graphic trompe-l’œil gowns, and pannier skirts upcycled from cotton shirts paired with close-fitting jersey bodysuits. A bustier dress made from recycled paint tubes continues Serre’s exploration of the relationship between art and craftsmanship, while Renaissance necklines, padded undergarments, and voluminous sleeves add a timeless sense of grandeur befitting a collaboration with the Louvre. Silk scarves, shaped collars, and fur trims enhance the pieces with classical detail, while a mostly neutral palette, interrupted by flashes of blue, green, and yellow, recalls the tones of a painter’s studio.
As always, Serre weaves in her signature sportswear influence. White cotton graphic T-shirts appear throughout, styled with silk skirts and tightly cinched corsets. Technical jerseys and performance fabrics bring a contemporary edge, spliced and panelled with couture-level precision to echo the structure of traditional bustled gowns.
In addition, Serre and the Louvre will extend their collaboration with a capsule collection launching in April, created by repurposing unsold T-shirts from the museum’s gift shop.
