Museums in Paris: Musée Bourdelle (Part 2 of 2)

Our visit to the Musée Bourdelle continues.

The Musée Bourdelle is currently hosting a temporary exhibition focused on fashion.  The exhibition is organized by the Palais Galliera, a fashion museum in Paris that is closed for renovation.  

The exhibition is titled Back Side - Dos a la Mode, or Fashion from Behind.  It features fashion that accentuates the oft-ignored back.  

What makes the exhibition very interesting is the placement of pieces of haute couture fashion alongside Antoine Bourbelle's sculptures.  

According to Bourdelle.Paris.Fr, "In a society that is obsessed with people’s faces, "Back Side / Fashion from Behind" is an original and unexpected theme. By addressing our body’s relationship to clothing from a social and psychological point of view, the exhibition questions the perception we have of our own and other people’s backs."

"The back is a reminder of our limitations: it is hidden from view and to some extent from touch. Yet, fashion consistently decorates it, burdens it, or reveals it. On this flattest part of our body, messages and patterns are unambiguously displayed without our ever seeing the glances they attract."

"The back in fashion: from the majestic train of a court gown to the weight of a backpack; the sensuality of a plunging backline to complicated fastening systems. This exceptional exhibition of clothing and accessories from the collections of the Palais Galliera presents over a hundred items from the 18th century up to the present day. And to complete the exhibition, a selection of film extracts and photographs."

"The exhibition spreads across the Great Hall of Plasters, the contemporary Portzamparc extension and Antoine Bourdelle’s studio. The models on display establish a dialogue between fashion and sculpture, a dialogue with the works of this great master of the turn of the 20th century. "Back Side – Fashion from Behind" gives us a new take on the works of Bourdelle: we look with new eyes at the powerful, muscular backs and the slender outlines of his sculptures."

Let's take a tour to see some of the fashions next to Bourdelle's sculptures.

Another view of the Rose Corset

Another view of the dress and sculpture

In Bourdelle's studio, we spotted two Comme des Garçons dresses by Rei Kawakubo from 2000.  The humps on front and back were unique.  

In one of the large galleries of Bourdelle's sculptures, we spotted several outfits intermixed with the artwork.  

A view of the front of the Lagerfeld "Shower" dress, much less interesting than the back.

Cate Blanchett called and wants her dress back (below).

What does defensive fashion look like?  The outfit below is designed to intimidate an attacker from behind.  Since no one can see what's behind him, the eyes on this backpack are intended to watch the wearer's back.

The signature piece of the exhibition is the elegant black dress below by Martine Sitbon.

In another gallery of the museum, we spotted some intriguing and revealing fashion.

Close up

Marie-Chantal greatly enjoyed the fashion exhibition and wanted to be part of it.  So, here she is posing with the exhibition's poster.

Thanks for visiting the Musée Bourdelle with us.  We hope to be back soon.