From 26 June to 14 October, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents the first ever showcase in Asia of historical French fashion collection from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. Marking the beginnings of the collaboration between the HKPM and the French iconic museum, the exhibition is also one of the four major exhibitions in West Kowloon Cultural District that mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris features nearly 400 delicate pieces of French clothings, jewellery and accessories from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries. Almost all exhibits are displayed in Asia for the first time, and some of them have never been seen outside of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs!

By displaying representative historical costumes from specific periods, the exhibition demonstrates the power of clothing and adornment to transform the body, and highlights the fascinating stories about fashion evolution in France and the dynamic interplay of cultures that has shaped French fashion.

The exhibition was curated by Denis Bruna, Head Curator of the Fashion and Textiles Department, and Mathieu Rousset-Perrier, Heritage Curator, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Jewellery collections, from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in collaboration with the HKPM.

As explained to us by Sylvie Corréard, CEO of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, “the scenography, panels and communication tools were the subject of a fruitful collaboration between the two museums. From the descriptive texts for each section and display case, to the choice of films, music, design elements and educational material, the realisation of the concept was a collaborative effort”.

Doll’s wardrobe, Probably France, about 1860, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

Based on the design concept of children dressing their dolls, the ensembles are curated to re-create how men and women in France dressed for various occasions. “The exhibition shows how male and female bodies were, layer by layer, modified, transformed and thus adorned during this period,” Corréard says.

The idea was to not only showcase fashion masterpieces but also to trace the history of women’s and men’s appearance, from the most luxurious to the simplest. The aim was to feature the different layers and underwear. For Denis Bruna, it was essential to highlight this to the Hong Kong audience. Historically, in Asia, the body was hidden by the clothes, while in Europe, and especially in the French court, the body was shaped and adorned by the clothes and the underwear – corset to make tiny waist and pannier to make larger hips in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Stays, Probably France, about 1740–1760, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

The exhibition begins with sumptuous 18th century court dresses, which French royals and aristocrats used to assert their social status. The massive bell-shaped crinoline dresses dominated the fashion scene in France and across Europe in the mid-19th century, accentuating women’s small waist and hourglass-shaped silhouette, symbolising both the pleasure and the pain of beauty.

This exhibition also sheds new light on the dynamic cultural interaction that has shaped fashion in France. For instance, an 18th century indoor jacket worn by an aristocratic man reflects on the global network of trade and cultural exchanges between China and France. The jacket was made of French silk inspired by prized silk textiles created in China, which were admired as luxury items in France at the time. The exhibition also features clothings made with designs referencing Japanese, Indian and English styles.

Indoor jacket, France, about 1723–1774, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

Organising such an exhibition in Hong Kong required skills and precautions to preserve these fragile relics. “Nearly 400 costumes, fashion accessories and jewellery were shipped to Hong Kong. They were very carefully placed in specialised boxes, then in crates designed to transport works of art. The curators and the team at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs worked closely with the HKPM to present the works in the best possible conditions, in particular by choosing neutral materials not dangerous for the works, and by presenting the costumes and accessories in low light, as strong light could damage the textiles,” Mathieu Rousset-Perrier explained.

To make the exhibition more lively, many statement costumes and jewellery pieces on display are enhanced by excerpts from renowned movies, bringing these historical attire to life. Innovative multimedia features also help visitors to dig deeper into the change of silhouette and refined details.

In the last part of the exhibition, young visitors (and less young!) can explore in an intimate and interactive way the evolution of French fashion in a dressing room-like environment. They can virtually try on clothing, accessory and jewellery pieces.

If you want to enjoy the exhibition with a unique storytelling, don’t miss the audio guide narrated by singer and fashion icon Karen Mok, in English, Putonghua and Cantonese.

More details on the exhibition can be found here