Fashion lovers of all ages should plan a visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to see two diverse exhibits.
Start with "Barbie" a light-hearted and whimsical tribute to the doll who was first launched by Mattel in 1959. Barbie was not a doll to be cuddled and cooed at; rather she was a fashionista! The whole objective was to get the doll and then build her wardrobe. Over the years Barbie became the darling of the Who's Who of fashion designers as witnessed by the showcases filled with outfits designed by the likes of Chanel, Dior, YSL and Oscar de la Renta amongst others
Fashion lovers of all ages should plan a visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to see two diverse exhibits.
Start with "Barbie" a light-hearted and whimsical tribute to the doll who was first launched by Mattel in 1959. Barbie was not a doll to be cuddled and cooed at; rather she was a fashionista! The whole objective was to get the doll and then build her wardrobe. Over the years Barbie became the darling of the Who's Who of fashion designers as witnessed by the showcases filled with outfits designed by the likes of Chanel, Dior, YSL and Oscar de la Renta amongst others.
But there's more to Barbie than clothes. There's her car, and her horse and her apartment...an entire lifestyle. Of course Ken is present, as well as other friends and family.
One of the most interesting vitrines features the many different skintones, eye colors and hair colors available. As of this year Barbie also comes in new shapes and sizes including a "tall", "petite" and "curvy" silhouette in addition to the iconic, classic version.
Don't forget that Barbie was a working girl. She's been a nurse and a doctor, she's been an astronaut, a rock star, a teacher, and best of all, and she’s been a candidate for President.
With over 700 dolls to see, budget plenty of time to marvel at this billion-dollar brand, and then move on to some serious fashion.
Across the hall, make your way towards "Fashion Forward, Three Centuries of Fashion". In celebration of it's 30th anniversary, the museum has opened its vaults to curate a chronological overview of fashion from the late 17th century to now. What unfolds is a series of displays that incorporate not just the fashion but also the decor of the time such as wood paneling, wallpaper screens and various textiles. Seen this way, fashion and lifestyle trends of each era are evident.
Over the centuries, necklines, hemlines and waistlines for women move up and down, skirts are voluminous or follow the line of the body, and corsets come and finally go. Clearly, no one could dress themselves as the clothing was just too complicated to put on and remove. Hard to imagine that some society women changed as many as five times a day! It's also clear that women's clothes was often constricting and uncomfortable for several hundred years.
Among the exquisite pieces in the exhibit are two gowns from the house of Charles Frederick Worth. Worth was an English fashion designer who founded his "maison" in Paris in 1858. Considered by many to be the father of haute couture, he was frequented by European royalty and aristocracy. A shameless self-promoter, he was the first to use live models and to sew a branded label into garments.
Moving forward into the 20th century, it is interesting to note the timelessness of gowns from the 1920's and 1930's, while noting the avant garde influence of Elsa Schiaparelli.
Like a grand finale, the last room houses a sinuous staircase populated with mannequins dressed in fashions from every post-war decade. It's a fun flashback that includes the iconic full-skirted "New Look" by Dior as well as the famous metal dress by Paco Rabanne. The show ends with original creators such as Vêtements rubbing shoulders with well-known designers.
With over 300 items of men’s, women’s and children’s fashion, this is a must see for fashion lovers.
–KV Marin
Barbie through September 18th
Fashion Forward through August 14th
Musee des Arts Décoratifs • 107 rue des Rivoli • 75001
Daily from 11AM-6PM, Thursdays til 9PM, Closed Monday
