Don’t Miss These Two Major Fashion Exhibitions in Paris

Hosted in the grand Palais Galliera, formally known as the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, retrospectives on the evolution of sportswear and the American creator Rick Owens are running all summer. 

The Palais Galliera, a striking 19th-century palace, is Paris’s hotspot for fashion history. Located in the elegant 16ᵉ arrondissement, it stands just across from the Palais de Tokyo and a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. 

A philanthropist’s dream…that fell apart

Commissioned by Marie Brignole-Sale, Duchess of Galliera, and designed by architect Léon Ginain, the palace is a perfect example of the “Beaux-Arts” style which was popular in the 19th century.  

Started in 1878, it was originally intended for fine art exhibitions. The Duchess had expressed her wish to donate her vast art collection to the State and wanted the palace built to house it. In exchange, she could live in the palace and enjoy the museum. A few legal quirks brought the noble project to an end: the Duchess never showed her collection here, instead passing it on the Palazzo Rosso in Genoa. Upon completion of the building, she gave it to the City of Paris to do with it what they wished. 

In 1895, it became a decorative and industrial arts museum. Decorative arts were deemed lower class than painting or sculpting but the museum strove to debunk these clichés and presented two yearly exhibitions showcasing contemporary works. 

In the 1960s, the palace became an auction house and, in 1977, it was officially repurposed into the Musée de la Mode et du Costume de la Ville de Paris, later renamed the Palais Galliera. 

A temple of fashion history

Home to over 240,000 garments, accessories, drawings, and photographs spanning from the 18ᵉ century to the present, the Palais Galliera showcases a rich sartorial collection. If you include archives and graphic arts, the collection exceeds 300,000. 

Unlike most museums, it doesn’t display permanent exhibits due to the fragility of pieces. Instead, it hosts around three major temporary shows yearly, ranging from monographic tributes to avant-garde themed explorations.  

Exhibitions to watch out for

The ongoing Fashion on the Move exhibition (running until October 12th 2025) traces the dynamic relationship between fashion and sport, from 18th-century athleticwear to modern activewear. This is the third chapter of this major retrospective on athletic fashion and it features nearly 200 garments, photos, and designs that celebrate movement, with a particular focus on winter sports. Loaned pieces from brands like Hermès, Jean Patou, Balenciaga, Fusalp and Le Coq Sportif further the narrative of movement and evolving sportswear. 

Another exhibition, titled “Rick Owens, Temple of Love” will be running through to January 2026. This career-spanning retrospective offers over 100 iconic silhouettes – from early Los Angeles creations to his latest Parisian pieces – alongside personal archives, videos, and immersive installations. Designed by Owens himself, the exhibition spills outside the galleries and onto the museum’s façade and in the garden: statues are wrapped in sequin-embroidered fabric, and thirty new brutalist cement sculptures evoke his aesthetic. 

Visitor Information 

• Accessibility & Hours: Open daily (except Mondays and holidays), 10 am–6 pm (Fridays until 9 pm) (offi.fr). 

• Getting There: Metro lines 9 (Iéna, Alma‑Marceau) or RER C (Pont‑de‑l’Alma); several bus lines also serve the. 

• Facilities: On‑site restaurant Les Petites Mains, boutique, lockers, and guided tours in French and English. 

• Tickets: Standard admission €12-14 (free for under‑18s and certain visitors). 

For more information, visit www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr