Worth: the birth of haute couture in Paris

From 1858 onwards, at no. 7 Rue de la Paix in Paris, Charles Frederick Worth became the creator that we now acknowledge as being the inventor of haute couture.
The Petit Palais is celebrating, for the very first time in Paris, the style and works of Worth, a key figure who succeeded in making an impact on the international fashion world in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The exhibition offers a brand new angle on the world of this fashion designer deemed to be an influencer of his time when it came to elegance.

A unique retrospective of House of Worth creations

The galleries of the Petit Palais will house a unique selection of costumes and accessories from the House of Worth. The items belong to the precious collections of the City of Paris museums, including the Petit Palais itself, and the Palais Galliera.

Among these masterpieces are a number of iconic costumes illustrating the inventiveness and savoir-faire of the House of Worth, trend-setters of style at the time. Here’s your chance to admire Worth’s iconic silhouettes, including his famous crinoline garments and bustle dresses.

A landmark event in fashion history

This first Parisian retrospective devoted to Worth is a unique opportunity to rediscover a fashion house which, despite being a legend, remains little known to the public at large.

The exhibition is designed to transport you to the sophisticated world of the era’s haute couture fashion shows. The tour is designed to create an immersive experience, nodding to the splendour of 19th-century fashion amid sumptuous décors that reflect the timeless elegance of House of Worth creations.

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