Reveal the Feminine. Fashion and Appearances in the 18th Century

In the 18th century, lace and corsets were not merely ornaments but genuine instruments of power and social distinction. The Cognacq-Jay Museum is partnering with the Palais Galliera to stage the elegance and artifices that shaped the lives of women under the Old Regime. From March 25th to September 20th, 2026, the event brings together exceptional garments, toile accessories, and portraits of the era to testify to this perpetual quest for the ideal silhouette. Between the constraints of the body and the freedom of expression, these fragile pieces tell how women of the Age of Enlightenment used fashion to assert their status or their spirit. This presentation offers a precise look at French textile craftsmanship and the evolution of customs at the dawn of modernity, within a dwelling that retains the soul of this era.