The Palais Galliera in Paris is showcasing 'Fashion in the 18th Century: A Fantasized Legacy,' an exhibition exploring the enduring influence of 18th-century styles on modern fashion. Running through July 12, 2026, the display highlights historical garments alongside contemporary designs from Dior, Chanel, and others. Curator Pascale Gorguet Ballesteros describes the era as a source of comfort in anxious times.
At the Palais Galliera, located at 10 Avenue Pierre Ier de Serbie in Paris's 16th arrondissement, the exhibition 'Fashion in the 18th Century: A Fantasized Legacy' traces how 18th-century extravagance—in corsets, ruffles, lace, panniers, and lush fabrics—continues to inspire designers. This show coincides with Paris Fashion Week, where similar historical references appeared on runways, and joins other exhibitions at institutions like the MAD, Musée Carnavalet, and Musée Cognacq-Jay celebrating the era's cultural impact. From June, the Château de Fontainebleau will also feature related displays. Curator Pascale Gorguet Ballesteros, head of the department of 17th and 18th century clothes and dolls, explained that the 18th century was revisited and fantasized in theater and art even before reaching modern audiences. “You see a pastel wig, pastel clothes, lace, a rose and you know we’re talking about the 18th century,” she said. The exhibition opens with women's fashion portrayed as a revolution, using the body as a canvas for artificial constructions, embroidered silks, brocades, and layered fabrics. It features robes à la française, à l’anglaise, and à la piémontaise, evolving into narrower silhouettes amid political and social changes. A recurring motif is the Pompadour rose, which reemerged in the 19th century as a political symbol of a lost world during conservative times. Highlights include a corset worn by a young Marie-Antoinette and a bodice from Belle Époque dancer Cléo de Mérode in blush ivory silk satin with Point de Venise lace. Modern interpretations culminate the show, such as a 1957 Givenchy evening gown in gray taffeta, John Galliano's 2007 embroidered couture for Dior, Nicolas Ghesquière's 2018 redingote for Louis Vuitton, and Vivienne Westwood's 2026 bridal Pompadour gown. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Raf Simons, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Hubert de Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dries Van Noten also feature, alongside pop culture nods to figures including Utica Queen, Madonna, and Rihanna. Gorguet Ballesteros noted, “The 18th century is more than ever a source of comfort. When you live in anxious times, there’s something soothing about lightness, about the happiness of color. Aesthetic emotion and beauty relieve stress.” Promotional materials spotlight drag performer Utica Queen, né Ethan David Mundt from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13, photographed by Eric Magnussen.
