Palais Galliera
Palais Galliera
Fashion at the
Palais Galliera
Housed in a magnificent 19th-century palazzo once belonging to the Duchess of Galliera, the museum today hosts changing exhibitions that trace the evolution of fashion from antiquity to the present day.
Its impressive collection comprises more than 200,000 garments, accessories, photographs and drawings — a treasure that documents the cultural and social significance of fashion. These items are presented within the framework of temporary exhibitions.
My Rating:
The Positives:
A pretty little gem in Paris with beautiful architecture and a lovely little garden.
Certainly a mecca for fashion fans, depending on which designer is currently on display.
The Negatives:
Considering its collection of 200,000 pieces, the museum is quite small. Only two large rooms and two small side rooms can display the fashion as part of an exhibition.
Tip:
Fancy a little fashion tour? The Musée Yves Saint Laurent and the Galerie Dior are just around the corner, and it's not far to the Champs-Élysées for a little window shopping. :D
Last Modified: 28.10.2025 | Céline & Anne
Palais Galliera
Tickets
The details
at a glance
Palais Galliera
Photo Gallery
What is there
to see?
The Palais Galliera is not just a museum but a living archive of fashion. A small permanent display in the Salles Gabrielle Chanel offers insights into the history of clothing (unfortunately, this section was closed during our visit). The temporary exhibitions showcase both current trends and historical retrospectives. Particularly impressive are the faithful reconstructions of historical costumes and the striking presentations of contemporary haute couture.
The Palais is open only during temporary exhibitions.
Exhibition During Our Visit
Rick Owens: Temple of Love
Rick Owens: Temple of Love
28 June 2025 – 4 January 2026
The Palais Galliera is currently showing Rick Owens: Temple of Love. The American designer Rick Owens, known for his radical and futuristic creations, presents a selection of his most iconic pieces.
The exhibition explores Owens’s unique aesthetic, which merges architecture, art and subculture. He drew inspiration, for instance, from Joseph Beuys — several of the designs on display are made from felt, the German artist’s preferred material. One of the main galleries is even entirely furnished with this coarse fabric. Another of Owens’s influences was Gustave Moreau, particularly his painting Salome Dancing before Herod, which inspired a series of outfits around that theme.
In addition to the two large rooms showcasing numerous Owens creations, there are two smaller spaces. One features a reconstruction of Rick Owens’s bedroom and dressing room — not the most exciting part, perhaps. The other comes with a warning that some exhibits may disturb visitors… and yes, it’s certainly eccentric. The main piece is a self-portrait: a life-sized statue urinating into a large basin — and the very visible penis is not the only one in the room.
A nod to Rick Owens’s wild years of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll — though, reportedly, he now leads a much cleaner life. Photography in this section was unfortunately (or perhaps thankfully) not permitted.
Palais Galliera
A bit of history
In 1907, Maurice Leloir founded the Société de l’Histoire du Costume. At first, the society organised exhibitions at the Musée Carnavalet, where a dedicated fashion wing was later opened in 1956. In 1977, the museum relocated to the Palais Galliera.
The palace itself was built between 1878 and 1894 and originally served as the private residence of the Duchess Maria Brignole-Sale Galliera — a prominent figure in Parisian society and a passionate art collector. Following her death, the property passed into the ownership of the City of Paris.
The most recent major renovation took place between 2018 and 2020. When the museum reopened, the Salles Gabrielle Chanel were unveiled — home to the permanent exhibition.
Official website of the Palais Galliera (FR/EN): www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2025
With the support of Anne Okolowitz.
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