Echoes of the Enlightenment: 18th Century Style Palais Galliera Photo Galleries – Colleen's Paris

by Colleen's Paris

Entrance Palais Galliera Musée de la Mode Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

Palais Galliera Fashion Legacy

Musée Cognacq-Jay Gallery

Read the blog post: Echoes of the Enlightenment: 300 years of Retro Fashion
If you wish to see the images larger, click on each or watch in a slideshow.
These texts are translated from the French exhibition brochure.

PART 1 – Characterising women’s fashion, 1700-1792

Robe à la française 1765-1775 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe à la française 1765-1775 opens the exhibit

Description of the Robe à la française 1765-1775 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

Styled-backs "French gown" Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Styled-backs “French gown”

Robe à la française 1765-1775 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe à la française 1765-1775 opens the exhibit

Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l'anglaise et jupe) front 1780-1785 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l’anglaise et jupe) front 1780-1785

Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l'anglaise et jupe) 1780-1785 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l’anglaise et jupe) 1780-1785

Pair of silk slippers (mules) 1760-1770 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Pair of silk slippers (mules) 1760-1770

Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l'anglaise et jupe) back 1780-1785 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Close-bodied gown and skirt (robe à l’anglaise et jupe) 1780-1785

Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775 front Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775

Description Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of hitched-up skirts “à la polonaise” in the 1770s

Charlotte Molas Illustration and description Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Charlotte Molas Illustration and description Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775

Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775 back Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe à la polonaise and skirt 1770-1775 back

Caracao (Camisole) side 1780-1790 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Caracao (Camisole) 1780-1790

Caracao (Camisole) description 1780-1790 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Caracao (Camisole) 1780-1790

Caracao (Camisole) side 1780-1790 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Caracao (Camisole) 1780-1790

Coiffure au désir 1780 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Coiffure au désir 1780

Description Lady of Lyon Piedmontese costume hair in Assyrian style Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Claude-Louis Desrais artist, Étienne Voysard engraver 1778

Story of hairdressers and wigmakers in 18th century Coiffure au désir 1780 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind wigmakers and hairdressers in the 18th century. The label accompanies Coiffure au désir 1780

Lady of Lyon Piedmontese costume hair in Assyrian style Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Claude-Louis Desrais artist, Étienne Voysard engraver 1778 Lady of Lyon in a Piedmontese costume with hair in the Assyrian style

Fire at the coiffures (hair and wig salon) Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Fire at the coiffures (hair and wig salon) at the Caffé Royal d’Alexandre

Description of Permission for Parisian hairdressers 1768-1769 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Label and description of permission for 600 Parisian hairdressers – no men allowed 1768-1769

Label describing "The galant negligée adorned with the coiffure 'in the Belle Poule style'" 1778 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of “The galant negligée adorned with the coiffure ‘in the Belle Poule style'” 1778

"The galant negligée adorned with the coiffure 'in the Belle Poule style'" 1778 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — “The galant negligée adorned with the coiffure ‘in the Belle Poule style'” 1778

PART 2 – The corset of Queen Marie-Antoinette, 1885

Sewing detail Corset Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780 back Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Sewing detail Corset Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780

Corset Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780 front Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Corset (front) for a formal court gown Attributed to Queen Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780. Before her pregnancies, she had a 52cm (20 inch)

Illustration for the corset description for children by Charlotte Molas Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Illustration for the corset description for children by Charlotte Molas

Description of a corset Illustration by Charlotte Molas Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Description of a corset
Illustration by Charlotte Molas

Description of a corset Illustration by Charlotte Molas Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Description of a corset
Illustration by Charlotte Molas

Story of Marie Antoinette's green taffeta corset Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of Marie Antoinette’s green taffeta corset

Corset Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780 back Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Corset (back) for a formal court gown Attributed to Queen Marie-Antoinette 1770-1780

PART 3 – Nostalgia of a fantasised fashion, 1840-1930

Crinolonomania Illustration between 1856 and 1857 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — “We’re going to take your measurements, missis!” Crinolonomania Illustration between 1856 and 1857 A locksmith for ladies, their under skirts do not collapse; politeness and discretion
Charles Vernier artist and Pierre Destouches and Martinet printers

Story of Bustle or "lobster tail" 1882-1887 and the crinoline Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of Bustle or “lobster tail” 1882-1887 Au Bon Marché replaced crinolines. Straight silhouette would replace the Lobster tail

Story of the crinoline in the 1840s coming back into fashionPalais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of the crinoline in the 1840s coming back into fashion

Tournure ou "queue d'écrevisse" Bustle or "lobster tail" 1882-1887 Au Bon Marché Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Tournure ou “queue d’écrevisse” Bustle or “lobster tail” 1882-1887 Au Bon Marché

Robe à transformation (day bodice, evening bodice and skirt) 1850 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe à transformation/interchangeable bodices (day bodice, evening bodice and skirt) 1850

Robe à transformation (day bodice, evening bodice and skirt) 1850 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of gowns for day and evening with interchangeable bodices

Man's "habit à la française" altered as a woman's jacket 1877-1882 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Man’s “habit à la française” altered as a woman’s jacket 1877-1882

Story of 19th century technological modernity and the social classes Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of 19th century technological modernity and the social classes

Les Modes "The Fashions" monthly illustrated magazine 1905 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Les Modes “The Fashions” monthly illustrated magazine of decorative arts applied to women, no. 50 February 1, 1905

Two paintings La Ligne brisée "The broken line" Pierre Outin Portrait of Ninon 1887 by Gustave Courtois Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Two paintings La Ligne brisée “The broken line” Pierre Outin Portrait of Ninon 1887 by Gustave Courtois

Model posing in Maurice Leloir's studio in lat 19th century and illustration Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Model posing in Maurice Leloir’s studio in lat 19th century and illustration

Story of Maurice Leloir and his collection and his donation to the Palais Galliera Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of Maurice Leloir and his collection and his donation to the Palais Galliera

Illustration from photo in Maurice Leloir's studio in late 19th century Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Illustration from photo in Maurice Leloir’s studio in late 19th century

Day and evening bodice Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Day and evening bodice

Day and evening bodice story illustrated by Charlotte Molas Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Day and evening bodice story illustrated by Charlotte Molas

Watteaumania

"Louis XV buttercup yellow silk gown...." for the painting by Jean Gustave Jacquet Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — “Louis XV buttercup yellow silk gown….” with a large straight pleat known as the “Watteau pleat” for the painting by Jean Gustave Jacquet

Story of Cléo de Mérode Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of Cléo de Mérode who had a 46 cm (18 inch) waist – smaller than Marie-Antoinette

Bodice of Cléo de Mérod's evening gown 1898-1900 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Bodice of Cléo de Mérod’s evening gown 1898-1900 by Jacques Doucet

Painting The Yellow Gown by Jean Gustave Jacquet Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Painting The Yellow Gown by Jean Gustave

Left to right: Japanese grey silk fabric dressing gown 1900 Ivory wool dressing gown 1910 and "Louis XV buttercup yellow silk gown...." with a large straight pleat known as the "Watteau" pleat Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Left to right: Japanese grey silk fabric dressing gown 1900 Ivory wool dressing gown 1910 and “Louis XV buttercup yellow silk gown….” with a large straight pleat known as the “Watteau” pleat

Japanese grey silk fabric dressing gown 1900 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Japanese grey silk fabric dressing gown 1900

Ivory wool dressing gown 1910 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Ivory wool dressing gown 1910

"The Duet" 1883 by P.A. Danan-Bouveret Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — “The Duet” 1883 by P.A. Danan-Bouveret

Story of "The Duet" 1883 by P.A. Danan-Bouveret Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of “The Duet” 1883 by P.A. Danan-Bouveret

Story of the Evening or ball gown (bodice, skirt and pannier) 1890s Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of the Evening or ball gown (bodice, skirt and pannier) 1890s

Evening or ball gown (bodice, skirt and pannier) 1890s Clément Gaillardon Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Evening or ball gown (bodice, skirt and pannier) 1890s – a taffeta of blue silk by Clément Gaillardon

Ceremonial gown bodice with a bustle and skirt with a train 1880 by Madame Ludinart Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Ceremonial gown bodice with a bustle and skirt with a train 1880 by Madame Ludinart

The robe de style

Two paintings "The Pretty Shepherdess" Gustave Jean Jacquet and "At the Piano" by Don Luis Jimenez y Aranda Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Two paintings “The Pretty Shepherdess” Gustave Jean Jacquet (last quarter 19th century) and “At the Piano” by Don Luis Jimenez y Aranda (before 1903)

Story of painting Young women in Louis XV costume, "The Pretty Shepherdess" Gustave Jean Jacquet Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of a Young women in Louis XV costume, for the painting “The Pretty Shepherdess” Gustave Jean Jacquet Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

Charlotte Molas illustration about dressing up in department stores in "fancy dress" Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Charlotte Molas illustration about dressing up in department stores in “fancy dress”

Programme "Paris qui tourne" (Whirling Paris) Miss Mistinguette "La du Barry" Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Programme “Paris qui tourne” (Whirling Paris) Miss Mistinguette “La du Barry”

Label describing Programme "Paris qui tourne" (Whirling Paris) Miss Mistinguette "La du Barry" 1928 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Label describing Programme “Paris qui tourne” (Whirling Paris) Miss Mistinguette “La du Barry”

Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

Label for Postcard Moulin Rouge 1926-1930 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Label for Postcard Moulin Rouge 1926-1930 for the Sparks Ballet

Fancy dress for the parts of La Folie 1925 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Fancy dress for the parts of La Folie 1925

Story of who bought fancy dress at Printemps for the parts of La Folie 1925 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story of who bought fancy dress at Printemps for the parts of La Folie 1925

Charlotte Molas illustration "Ready for the ball?" and Jeanne Lanvin Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Charlotte Molas illustration “Ready for the ball?” Jeanne Lanvin’s reproduction of 18th century gowns

Fancy dress costume Summer 1926 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Fancy dress costume Summer 1926 by Jeanne Lanvin

"Throughout the world" Les Modes magazine Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — “Throughout the world” Les Modes monthly illustrated magazine applied decorative arts for women April 1, 1902

Story behind the "Throughout the world" story in Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind the “Throughout the world” story in Les Modes magazine

Portrait of Princess Demetre-Stirbey, née de Soyka Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Portrait of Princess Demetre-Stirbey, née de Soyka in Louis XV formal gown 1884

Robes de style Winter 1919-2020 Jeanne Lanvin Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Robe de style Winter 1919-2020 Jeanne Lanvin Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

Story behind Robe de style Winter 1919-2020 Jeanne Lanvin Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind Robes de style Winter 1919-2020 Jeanne Lanvin

PART 4 – Towards a utopia of appearances, 1950-2020

Court shoes day and evening 1793-2016 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Court shoes day and evening 1793-2016

Descriptions Court shoes day and evening 1793-2016 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Descriptions Court shoes day and evening 1793-2016

Dressing gown or flying gown Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Dressing gown or flying gown – fabric is from around 1720; gown 1735-1739

Charlotte Molas Illustration for a precious "flying gown" Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Charlotte Molas Illustration for a precious “flying gown”

Story behind the dressing gown or flying gown Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind the dressing gown or flying gown

Evening gown "Mademoiselle Hortensia" 1922-1993 Christian Lacroix Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Evening gown “Mademoiselle Hortensia” 1922-1993 Christian Lacroix foreground

Story behind Evening gown "Mademoiselle Hortensia" 1922-1993 and Christian Lacroix Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind Evening gown “Mademoiselle Hortensia” 1922-1993 and Christian Lacroix

Pair of court shoes 1962 Christian Dior by Roger Vivier (shoemaker) Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Pair of court shoes 1962 Christian Dior by Roger Vivier (shoemaker)

Short evening dress "Solveig" 1957-1958 and Pair of court shoes 1962 Christian Dior by Roger Vivier (shoemaker) Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Short evening dress “Solveig” 1957-1958

Evening coat dress Fabric 1750-1760s; dress 1954 Christian Dior Boutique Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Evening coat dress Fabric 1750-1760s; dress 1954 Christian Dior Boutique

Story behind Claude Lamoral II man's coat 1745-1750 Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind man’s coat that belonged to Claude Lamoral II, Prince of Ligne and of the Holy Roman Empire 1745-1750

Story behind Nicolas Ghesquière and the 2018 Louvre fashion show Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind Nicolas Ghesquière and the 2018 Louvre fashion show

Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy

18th-century fashion, in complete freedom

Hidden Portrait 2019 by Volker Hermes Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Hidden Portrait 2019 by Volker Hermes

Story behind Hidden Portrait 2019 by Volker Hermes Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind Hidden Portrait 2019 by Volker Hermes

Story behind the Portrait of Utica Queen-Ethan David Mundt 2021 by Eric Magnussen Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Story behind the Portrait of Utica Queen-Ethan David Mundt 2021 by Eric Magnussen

Portrait of Utica Queen-Ethan David Mundt 2021 by Eric Magnussen Palais Galliera Exhibition Paris FASHION IN THE 18th CENTURY: A Fantasized Legacy — Portrait of Utica Queen-Ethan David Mundt 2021 by Eric Magnussen

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