Things to Do in Provence: André Leon Talley Exhibition at SCAD Lacoste

From André Leon Talley’s extraordinary wardrobe to a new museum and emerging design talent, SCAD Lacoste offers a richly layered cultural programme in the heart of Provence this year

This summer, the hilltop village of Lacoste in Provence once again becomes a compelling destination for art, fashion and cultural discovery as SCAD Lacoste expands its offering with a trio of new experiences. From a landmark fashion exhibition to a museum dedicated to local history and a showcase of emerging design talent, the campus continues to position itself as a lively meeting point between heritage and contemporary creativity.

ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY: LE STYLE EST ÉTERNEL

The headline event of the season is André Leon Talley: Le style est éternel, on view at SCAD FASH Lacoste from April 1 to October 31.

Dedicated to the life and legacy of André Leon Talley, the exhibition celebrates one of fashion’s most influential and charismatic fi gures. A towering presence in both stature and cultural impact, Talley was renowned for his role in shaping late 20th- and early 21st-century fashion discourse, particularly through his work at Vogue. Curated by Rafael Brauer Gomes, the exhibition draws on Talley’s bequest to the SCAD Permanent Collection, presenting for the first time in France a rich selection of garments, accessories and personal effects that chart his life in fashion.

Couture, ready-to-wear and bespoke pieces refl ect his close relationships with leading designers including Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano for Dior and Azzedine Alaïa, alongside works by houses such as Balenciaga and Hermès. Displayed on custom mannequins cast from a sculpture of Talley by SCAD alumnus Stephen Hayes, the garments are complemented by photographs and letters and books from his personal archive, as well as gowns worn by the likes of Anna Wintour and Renée Zellweger. The exhibition allows for close engagement with Talley’s world, presenting his signature capes, dramatic silhouettes and editorial vision as expressions of identity, intellect and cultural influence.

MUSÉE SCAD LACOSTE

Complementing this exploration of global fashion is a new permanent addition rooted firmly in place: the Musée SCAD Lacoste.

Envisioned as a cultural cornerstone for the region, the museum offers an account of the village’s past and present through local artefacts and visual storytelling.

At its core is a structured, three-part narrative. The first explores Lacoste’s origins, tracing its development from early settlement through its medieval history and artistic life. The second focuses on SCAD’s role in preserving and revitalising the village, while the third looks outward, examining the university’s wider global impact and Lacoste’s place within it. This layered approach places the village within a broader cultural continuum, offering visitors a clearer understanding of how its historic fabric and contemporary creative life intersect.

It also provides valuable context for the wider SCAD Lacoste experience, grounding the campus’s artistic programme in the history and identity of its setting.

STUDIO BEE: EMERGING VOICES IN FASHION

A short walk away, Studio Bee continues to champion the next generation of designers with Studio Bee: 100% Made by SCAD, on view from April 1 to October 31. Bringing together work by SCAD alumni, the exhibition spans couture, ready-to-wear, textile innovation, accessories and interior design. Many of the pieces were first presented at SCAD FASHION, the university’s annual runway show, and are here recontextualised for a gallery setting, allowing closer attention to construction, material and narrative intent. The designers featured – including Danisca Benjamin, Yunhan Meng, Jiyoung Park and Lakshita Srinivas – reflect a generation working across cultural reference, personal history and contemporary design. The exhibition underscores SCAD’s emphasis on both technical skill and conceptual thinking, presenting fashion as a medium that balances craftsmanship with experimentation and new technologies. In the quieter pace of Lacoste, the work gains clarity, inviting visitors to enjoy a sustained engagement with the ideas behind each piece.

A CULTURAL DESTINATION IN PROVENCE

As well as offering visitors a rich experience, these three experiences reflect the breadth of SCAD Lacoste’s cultural programme. The Talley exhibition connects visitors to the global language of fashion and one of its defining figures; the Musée SCAD Lacoste anchors that experience in the layered history of the village; and Studio Bee looks forward, presenting the ideas and talent shaping fashion’s future. SCAD Lacoste truly is a place where past and present, local and international, established voices and emerging talent come together.

STUDYING AT LACOSTE

SCAD Lacoste is the Savannah College of Art and Design’s idyllic study-abroad location in the south of France.

Nestled in a beautifully preserved medieval village in the stunning Luberon Valley, the campus offers a rich cultural experience amid Provence’s extraordinary light and pastoral charm. Historic buildings dating from the ninth to the 19th centuries house state-of-the-art facilities, including teaching studios for painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and digital imaging, as well as a library, gallery, dining hall and student housing.

Courses, taught by SCAD professors, cover all areas of study and are enriched by field trips, exhibitions and visiting artists. Notable past guests include Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Ruben Toledo, Bibhu Mohapatra and Ilse Crawford.

SCAD is a private, accredited university with campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, Lacoste and online via SCADnow. It offers over 100 degree programmes and serves students from over 100 countries. Through its future-focused curriculum and industry partnerships via SCADpro, the university boasts a 99% graduate success rate.

www.scad.edu

From France Today Magazine

Lead photo credit : 2026 SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN, ALLISON SMITH, CHIA CHONG