Two amazing costume exhibitions are being held right now here in Paris and Versailles and I’m very much excited to visit them both.
The first at the Galliera Museum (aka the Museum of Fashion of Paris) opened already last year and will close its doors at the end of April. The theme is The Empire of the Crinoline, a collection of over 300 beautiful gowns (and accessories) from 1852 to 1870.
(Robe de jour griffée Worth & Bobergh, vers 1869. Faille de soie verte.
© Stéphane Piera / Galliera / Roger-Viollet - image from Fashion Office)
Which girl never imagined herself dressed in one of these? 
I’m planning to visit tomorrow morning and spend hours there looking at all the details. I’ll leave you with some pictures of the exhibition and a little video (in french):
http://www.lecurieux.com/Exposition-Galliera-2008.htm
At Versailles, Splendor of Court and Royal Ceremonies. Court Dress in Europe 1650-1800 is making a huge success.
Sponsored by Chanel, they manage to reunite an impressive collection of court costumes of all around Europe from 1650 to the beginning of the 19th century. This is something I certainly don’t want to miss! I just saw some pictures in a magazine article and I immediately visit the official site. I’m still in complete awe… The wedding gown of Edwige Elisabeth Charlotte de Holstein-Gottorp, the gown made by Mlle Rose Bertin or even the diamond necklace of the queen Amélie Auguste are simply stunning pieces.
If you’re curious, download the “dossier de presse” and you can know all about the costumes in the exhibition.
Thank you so much for sharing! I don’t know which I enjoyed more: the costumes and dresses or the music and hearing French spoken.
I will be glued to my computer later this evening. There is only so much I can look at on my lunch at work
you have nice collection.. i like the dresses especially the pink one with black lines….