More than 80 iconic garments, from Dior to Balenciaga, offer an immersive, once-in-a-decade look at fashion as art
Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) announces Paris Couture, a major international exhibition presenting more than 80 works of haute couture from the renowned Palais Galliera, the Paris Fashion Museum. Opening October 4, 2026, this exhibition spans the late 19th century to the present and offers an exceptional opportunity to experience some of the most extraordinary garments ever created, up close and in person.
Featuring iconic designers including Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Madeleine Vionnet, “Paris Couture” traces the evolution of luxury across the 20th century, from the theatrical origins of haute couture to its mid-century golden age and its continued reinvention today.
“This exhibition makes a clear case for haute couture as one of the defining art forms of the modern era,” said Katie Luber, Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of Mia. “Visitors will encounter the garments as they were meant to be experienced: intimately, and with close attention to their extraordinary craftsmanship. ‘Paris Couture’ holds a distinguished collection of historic textiles but has not previously presented a major survey of 20th-century haute couture. This exhibit positions Mia at the forefront of an international conversation about fashion’s place in the museum.”
Drawn from one of only a few major institutional couture collections in the world, “Paris Couture” offers access rarely seen in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. The exhibition invites visitors to see the pleats, stitches, beads, and feathers that define couture at its highest level.
“From the social gatherings of the turn of the 20th century to the runways of today’s fashion weeks, the language of Haute Couture continues to captivate and inspire,” said Émilie Hammen, Director of Palais Galliera. “Paris Couture exemplifies Mia’s commitment to presenting global art at the highest level while bringing exceptional and rare examples of fashion to Minneapolis and invites audiences to experience its beauty, innovation, and artistry in a deeply personal way.”
Highlights include Elsa Schiaparelli’s shocking pink evening cape of 1938, embroidered on the back by Maison Lesage with sequins and gold thread to create a radiant sunburst. The work was made for the Paris editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Daisy Fellowes (1890–1962), one of Schiaparelli’s greatest clients.
Additional highlights include Christian Dior’s intricately embellished “Palmyre” dress (1952), commissioned and worn by Wallis Simpson, shimmering with sequins, pearls, and crystals, and a sculptural 1967 ensemble by Cristóbal Balenciaga, featuring his signature gazar fabric and dramatic use of shape and texture.
The show also includes a contemporary look from the Spring 2026 couture collections. Matthieu Blazy infused the essence of Gabrielle Chanel, maintaining her vision of femininity in which garments empower rather than embellish. That spirit also appears in the fusion of exquisite craftsmanship with contemporary art and ideas. Here, a jacket and dress are constructed from thousands of translucent fabric scales that seem to float weightlessly.
“Paris Couture” will be on view at the Minneapolis Institute of Art until January 17, 2027. The exhibit will then travel to the Saint Louis Art Museum. A fully illustrated catalogue will be published by the Minneapolis Institute of Art to accompany the exhibition.
Exhibition Details
- Exhibition Title: “Paris Couture“
- Dates: October 4, 2026–January 17, 2027
- Location: Target Galleries
- Cost: General Admission: $20
For more information on “Paris Couture” and other upcoming exhibitions, visit artsmia.org.
Exhibition conceived by the Palais Galliera, Paris Fashion Museum, Paris Musées, in collaboration with the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Saint Louis Art Museum. Major Sponsors: Nora McNeely Hurley Foundation, Southdale Center; Generous Sponsors: Support in Memory of C. Curtis Dunnavan, Boulay Wealth, HGA, Artful Living; Media Sponsor: The Minnesota Star Tribune.
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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.
General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.
For more information, call 1-612-870-3000 or visit artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.
Mia Press Contact: Heather Hofmeister, press@artsmia.org, 612-870-3013
About Palais Galliera
Located on Paris’s historic hill of Chaillot, the Palais Galliera houses the Paris Fashion Museum, one of the world’s leading fashion collections. Composed of nearly 200,000 garments, accessories, photographs, drawings, illustrations, and prints, the collection reflects the dress codes and clothing styles in France from the 18th century to today. Housed in a landmark Beaux-Arts building set amid a garden with views of the Eiffel Tower, the museum presents rotating exhibitions drawn primarily from its vast collections, alongside major temporary exhibitions that explore fashion as both artistic creation and sociocultural expression. Through exhibitions, performances, talks, concerts, and family programs, Palais Galliera is a prominent center for fashion history and contemporary creative dialogue in Paris.
The Palais Galliera is the place for fashion amateurs and professionals—it is the only museum in Paris that permanently displays a Parisian fashion history from the 18th century to the present day through its collections. More than just a museum, the Palais Galliera is a place where fashion meets performance arts.
About the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and time period. Areas of notable depth include Oceanic art, ancient American art, ancient Chinese bronzes and European and American art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with particular strength in 20th-century German art. Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free to all every day. For more information, call 314-721-0072 or visit slam.org.
SLAM Press Contact: Molly Morris, molly.morris@slam.org, 314-655-5250