The Birth of the Department Store in Paris-Part 1

For the first time ever, there is an exhibition devoted to department store origins in Paris. Department stores were made for dreaming. Before 1852 one went to a specialized shop for fabric and another for the thread or buttons. The shopkeeper decided the price based on your appearance or their mood. At the Musée des Arts décoratifs (Museum of Decorative Arts), on display until October 13 are 700 items.

Facade of the Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand Magazins Birth of the Department Store Paris

The items on exhibit will transport you back to the years between 1852 to 1925. You will get a view of fashion, design, toys, and advertising. And if you love department store history (Grands Magazins) and stories, be prepared. Department Stores Part Two opens October 16 at the Cité des Architectures & Patrimoine.

A Voyage for the Modern Women

Printemps catalog from Monday, September 16, 1912 for Oriental furnishings - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Printemps catalog from Monday, September 16, 1912 for Oriental shopping

Catalog page with vases, bric-a-brac, trays, plates, an eclectic style originating in the 1830s-1848 continuing until after the Second World War - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Catalog page with vases, bric-a-brac, trays, plates, an eclectic style originating in the 1830s-1848 continuing until after the Second World War

You will journey back to the introduction of the temples of commerce. A woman could shop, and touch and find bargains. You will see how she (because the stores were aimed mostly toward women) could now travel the world. Within the department store were carpets, vases and any number of exotic pieces. These items were from far away lands she might never see. She could mail order or have her purchases sent to her home. Any dream was possible in the department store.

Printemps Catalogues for products from the Orient, Japan and China (1903-1922 - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Printemps Catalogues for products from the Orient, Japan and China (1903-1922

Image from catalog showing Jacquard carpets - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — The fascination with Orientalism in France began in 1830 with French colonisation of Algeria; catalog showing Jacquard carpets

What you will see

Au Bon Marché catalog of a modern home appliance, the washing machine, pictured are products for cleaning and ironing clothes - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Au Bon Marché catalog of a modern home appliance, the washing machine, pictured are products for cleaning and ironing clothes. Between 1854 and 1894, potable water was made available to Parisian apartments.

Collection of undergarments: Taffeta underskirt (1880-1900), corset with garters (1910-1917), corset (1890), bra (1925) - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Collection of undergarments: Taffeta underskirt (1880-1900), corset with garters (1910-1917), corset (1890), bra (1925)

Mannequin La Belle Jardinière style: summertime linen suit; classic for town and country in the 1900s. This model is from 1905 - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Mannequin La Belle Jardinière style: summertime linen suit; classic for town and country in the 1900s. This model is from 1905

Poster advertising the enlargement of les Magasins de Nouveautés small shops in the Passage Vivienne - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Poster advertising the enlargement of les Magasins de Nouveautés small shops in the Passage Vivienne

The department store was born during a booming industrial and modernization period where the social classes mixed. Anyone with a train ticket traveled to another city. As the railroad developed, so did fashion. Special travel outfits of durable fabric were needed for a journey. Even Parisian dress patterns during this made their way to other countries, especially the recently independent United States.

Catalog pages with lamps and chandeliers. - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Catalog pages with lamps and chandeliers. With the introduction of gas lines (1850) and electricity (20th century) in Paris apartments, this revolution required new fixtures

Summer dress 1908-1910 - contemporary style in the spirit of designer Paul Poiret but at an affordable price for anyone - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Summer dress 1908-1910 – contemporary style in the spirit of designer Paul Poiret but at an affordable price for anyone

Various posters of Paris department stores Au Bon Marché, Samaritaine, Grands Magasins de la Paix - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Various posters of Paris department stores Au Bon Marché, Samaritaine, Grands Magasins de la Paix

Advertising posters: one is for a new owner, the other for summer walking and bathing attire. Both shops with fixed prices - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Advertising posters: one is for a new owner, the other for summer walking and bathing attire. Both shops with fixed prices

Posters advertising entertainment - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Posters advertising entertainment

Grands Magasins du Louvre (The Galerie du Louvre), Silk Department Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Grands Magasins du Louvre (The Galerie du Louvre), Silk Department
Rue de Rivoli opened in 1855

Les Magasins Crespin-Dufayel Naissance des Grands magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Les Magasins Crespin-Dufayel
Located between Boulevard Ornano (today Barbés) and rue de Clignancourt
15,000 employees, occupied 2 1/2 acres and the nave was devoted to furniture sales

The store owners wanted you to experience a sensation: Entering a palace, a realm of opulence. The mostly female clientele were met with majestic grand staircases. The coloured or plain glass ceilings formed in wrought iron and mosaics are still visible today. Consider Le Bon Marché (1852), Galeries Lafayette (1894), Printemps (1865), and La Samaritaine (1870). Not only did you enter opulence, for the bourgeoisie, they were being waited on.

Delivery Woman during World War I 1917 Au Bon Marché Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Delivery Woman during World War I 1917 Au Bon Marché

Image of department store delivery woman 1917 Au Bon Marché - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — During WWI in France, women were the main workforce. Their clothing was adapted to movement

Video image of women and children models in 1912 Birth of the Department Store Naissance des Grands Magasins Department Store Story — Exhibition video extract of 1912 women and children modeling fashion

Image of Children's clothing and toys Highlander style inspired by Queen Victoria's children 1850-1880 - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Highlander style inspired by Queen Victoria’s children 1850-1880

Photos and videos record clothing and jobs adapted for temporary period. Women took over delivery and many other jobs of men during the First World War. You will see posters galore because target marketing was aimed at mothers. Mothers were enticed to buy toys and clothes for children.

Video image ofeon lights advertising Toys "Jouets" on the façade of Galeries Lafayette undated for the exhibit Birth of the Department Store Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Video image of neon lights advertising Toys “Jouets” on the façade of Galeries Lafayette undated for the exhibit Birth of the Department Store – undated

Toys, armoire, doll, child's sewing machine, black cat and doll dress up kit at the Musée des Arts décoratifs exhibit Birth of the Department Store — Toys, armoire, doll, child’s sewing machine, black cat and doll dress up kit from 1900 and 1930

Poster for Toys at Christmas-Au Pauper Jacques with Santa in a green fur-lined coat - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Poster for Toys at Christmas-Au Pauper Jacques with Santa in a green fur-lined coat

Women Left the Countryside for Paris

You will see photos of the employees. So many new jobs were created that women left the countryside, moved to Paris and worked behind the counters. Cafeterias and dormitories provided food and shelter for employees.

Employees of Le Bon Marché working, dining, cafeteria-style lunch line and kitchen; dining with someone reading the newspaper to them exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Employees of Le Bon Marché working, dining, cafeteria-style lunch line and kitchen; dining with someone reading the newspaper to them

Illustrations of le Bon Marché employees sewing men's wear, draping a showcase, delivery order preparation - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Illustrations of le Bon Marché employees sewing men’s wear, draping a showcase, delivery order preparation

Department store images-Women working behind the scenes Grands Magasins Birth of the Department Store Naissance des Grands magasins — Behind the scenes in department stores was another mixed workforce

Illustrations of employees behind the scenes at Au Bon Marché handling correspondence; stables for delivery horses, saddle shop - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Illustrations of employees behind the scenes at Au Bon Marché handling correspondence; stables for delivery horses, saddle shop

Images of employees in a department store listed with their department - exhibit Birth of the Department Store Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Images of employees in a department store listed with their department

This press release gives you a concise overview of the exhibition with images. The brochure breaks down the exhibition into sections and is your quick guide for Birth of the Department Store. You will enjoy the exhibit. Plan at least two hours or take a guided tour.

Souvenirs in the Gift Shop

Image of housewares, illustrations, poster, cards for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at the Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Image of housewares, illustrations, poster, cards for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at the Musée des Arts décoratifs

image of souvenirs, toys, posters, illustrations, children's books for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Souvenirs, toys, posters, illustrations, children’s books for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs

Image of books - souvenirs for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Image of books – souvenirs for the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs

Small canvas gift bag souvenir of the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs Naissance des Grand magasins Birth of the Department Store Paris MAD — Small canvas gift bag souvenir of the Birth of the Department Store exhibit at Musée des Arts décoratifs

For further reading and enjoyment

Emile Zola, published the novel “Au Bonheur des Dames” (The Ladies’ Delight) in 1883. The Netflix series “Paradise” is a costume drama about this era. Especially interesting is the rise of individuals from basic employment to power. And watching as the small shopkeepers experience the department store take-over of business and desires.

The photographer, Charles Marville took photographs of Paris streets before and during the Napoleon-Haussmann era of reconstruction. The abridged version of the original book is available in English and French. The Parigamme version can be at BHV department store.

Photo images by Charles Marville, Photographer during 1800s of Paris Streets Birth of the Department Store exhibit MAD — Images by Charles Marville, Photographer during 1800s of Paris Streets

Une mémoire du view Paris Charles Marville Parigamme images of Paris streets before during and after the Haussmann era of reconstruction

The Saga of Department Stores Part 2

Printemps Haussmann Reopens Le Grand Escalier

The Birth of the Department Store in Paris-Part 1

A Voyage for the Modern Women

What you will see

Women Left the Countryside for Paris

Souvenirs in the Gift Shop

For further reading and enjoyment

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You can see Zeus, a Unique Work of Art

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