FRENCH FASHION: A CLOSER LOOK
PARIS, FRANCE
Fashion is certainly an art form and for centuries has been treasured and collected like art of other medium. When we think of France, competing for first place with food and wine is always fashion.
One doesn’t have to be fashionista to be in awe of of an exquisitely crafted garment. What makes even the simplest design are the details: the construction of the seams, the weave and pattern of the fabric and of the embellishments - the finishing touch by artisans skilled in keeping the legacy of crafts vibrant and valued for centuries!
Palais Galliera in Paris
These craft traditions are being celebrated at an extraordinary gem of a museum the Palais Galliera in Paris, which has served as the inspiration for the expanded concept of this ALIX tour.
The exhibition will explore the specialized jobs and techniques in the fashion industry from different angles, showcasing items from the museum's stunning collections and offering a fresh perspective on the history of fashion from the 18th century to the present day.
click here to watch a video from Palais Galleria
The exhibition is also paying tribute to the people behind these skills, who are often forgotten or lesser known by the prestigious name of a couturier. These often unsung craftspeople of fashion include the textile designers, embroiderers, feather workers, and floral makers, who have made Paris the prime location for their exceptional skills.
CONNECTING THE THREADS!
In typical ALIX form, we will follow the many threads of the exhibition to meet many artisans. The tradtions of these fields are wonderfully maintained in a constant state of innovation and renewal with the acquisition of older firms and the recent establishment of firms by a new generation of artisans.
We will have a guided tour of the atelier of Baqué Molinié which is a studio recently established by two young embroiderers who are collaborating with many tradition brands like Guerlain.
More traditional Maisons such as Lesage founded in 1858, Paris’s oldest embroidery atelier, will lead us in an hands one-on-one embroidery workshop.
The famous house of Van Cleef & Arpels gives wonderful classes including The history and the Origin of the Jewel: Design, History, Evolution and Technique. A few years ago I did a watercolor class there and it was so magical to go behind the scenes.
Other stops along the way!
Musee Gobelins is both a museum and an active manufactory and we will have tour there as well. Think of our Sevres visit!
Grand Palais - Henri Matisse
There will be a major exhibition of the late works of Matisse which will include paintings, paper cut-outs and some textiles. Matisse did make embroidered vestments for the chapel in Nice . We will see what will be in the grand show in Paris.
If you are interested in this tour please contact Suzanne at info@thealixexperience.com