Paris, an unmissable cultural capital, offers an exceptional fashion line-up this summer. In the heart of its museums, the sculptural purity of Alaïa meets the visionary exuberance of Mugler, while Rick Owens’ dark aesthetic takes over the Palais Galliera and Demna’s avant-garde vision at Balenciaga opens the doors to the Kering headquarters. Meanwhile, in the gallery scene, artist Jeanne Vicerial takes over Galerie Templon with a striking exhibition blending art, the human body, and textiles. A curated selection of must-see events to mark in your calendar without fail.
Alaïa and Mugler: twenty years of artistic dialogue
On display at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation until 31 August 2025, this retrospective celebrates the friendship and collaboration between two major figures of contemporary fashion. Curated by Olivier Saillard, the exhibition brings together over 200 pieces, around forty by Mugler and a hundred by Alaïa, in a captivating dialogue. Visitors will discover how Alaïa, heir to Balenciaga’s precision and master of cut, found an ally and supporter in Mugler, mainly during Alaïa’s first New York show in 1982. From Mugler’s sculptural glamour to Alaïa’s architectural purity, a hybrid style emerged, marked by strong shoulders, cinched waists, and bold sensuality, shaping a new vision of femininity. The experience is enhanced by guided educational tours, offered in partnership with the agency Des Mots et des Arts, shedding light on the connections, places, and stories behind these iconic creations.
Balenciaga by Demna: the tribute exhibition to a subversive decade
Until 9 July 2025, Kering’s headquarters in Paris is hosting Balenciaga by Demna, a retrospective spotlighting Demna Gvasalia’s transformative decade at the helm of Balenciaga. The exhibition offers an in-depth look at the iconic pieces that redefined contemporary fashion, from daring volumes and sculptural silhouettes to the brand’s signature puffer jackets. Showcasing over a hundred creations, the exhibition traces how Demna masterfully fused subversion with sophistication, creating an aesthetic that is both avant-garde and deeply rooted in streetwear culture.
Beyond the exhibition itself, the event offers a unique opportunity to witness the transformation of an iconic couture house through the lens of a sometimes-controversial designer, whose approach has left a lasting imprint on the global fashion scene. These retrospectives invites visitors to grasp the spirit of an era, while catching a glimpse of the future horizons of fashion.
Jeanne Vicerial and her Black Nymphs
Until 19 July at Galerie Templon, French visual artist Jeanne Vicerial explores the metamorphosis of the female body in Nymphose. Over two years, she has woven a narrative of the body through stitching and embroidery, giving life to towering black-thread silhouettes that command the space like mysterious presences. For the occasion, the gallery has been transformed into an intimate chamber where around fifteen of these figures both large and small, quietly unfold. Caught amid childbirth or an embrace, these silent sculptures seem to gaze back at us with intensity. Blending art, fashion, and textile poetry, her fragile yet powerful works delve into sensuality, the awakening of matter, and perpetual transformation, offering an immersive experience where the body is reimagined and resonates with our contemporary realities.
The Palais Galliera becomes Rick Owens’ “Temple of Love”.
From 28 June 2025 to 4 January 2026, the Palais Galliera is transformed into a true sanctuary dedicated to Rick Owens. This exceptional retrospective offers an immersive dive into the designer’s singular world. More than 100 sculptural silhouettes, along with never-before-seen archives and personal works by Rick Owens and his muse Michèle Lamy, unveil an aesthetic that is both raw and poetic. The experience extends beyond the museum’s walls: installations also occupy the façade and gardens, turning the venue into a living, breathing space. Temple of Love is an invitation to (re)discover a designer who pushes the boundaries of fashion and celebrates the diversity of forms and identities.
This summer, Paris reaffirms its status as the fashion capital, offering a captivating panorama where tradition meets avant-garde. So, get your calendars ready as this season, fashion is meant to be explored and experienced like never before.
Article by Julie Boone.
