On a adoré l’expo « Tisser, broder, sublimer. Les savoir-faire de la mode »

It took no less than three parts to pay tribute to the gestures that sublimate haute couture. In this first chapter, the Palais Galliera invites us to observe – literally – the diversity and richness of its collections under a magnifying glass.

This first exhibition is dedicated to the savoir-faire that ennobles and decorates clothing and accessories. These techniques are explored through the theme of the flower, an essential motif in textile art and fashion since the 18th century.

), the exhibition reveals both creations from haute couture houses and pieces by young artisans, some of which were specially made for the event. A unique opportunity to delve into the heart of fashion's savoir-faire.

The editorial team's opinion: For this introduction, the savoir-faire related to ornamentation is highlighted, from weaving to lace, including printing, embroidery, and dyeing.

The common thread of the exhibition, the flower, omnipresent in fashion and decorative arts since the 18th century, makes a multitude of motifs bloom before our amazed eyes, with inspirations coming a little from here, but mostly from elsewhere.

A parasol enhanced with dahlias reminiscent of the elegance of wagasa – those famous Japanese umbrellas –, a “Sac des Indes” clutch by Van Cleef & Arpels covered in gold and precious stones, a Christian Dior strapless dress with orientalising arabesques: we travel through a certain aestheticism enamoured with exoticism, largely nourished by the postcolonial context and maritime exchanges with the Orient and the Maghreb in the 18th and 19th centuries.

While the exhibition plunges us into the complexity of the loom, the virtuosity of the art of lace, or the mysteries of lurex, it does not, however, drown our gaze under a heap of highly technical information.

Because beyond the stages of creation, it is above all the silhouettes in their final version, impressive in beauty and elegance, that are offered to us. The 'petites mains' are on display. Here, above all, we take the time to slow down.

Gone is the race against time typical of fashion shows.