From Past to Future: The Exhibition
Editorial
French lingerie on display through a century of creation
Between 2012 and 2017, the travelling exhibition Lingerie Française toured the world, stopping in iconic cities such as Paris, London, Shanghai, Dubai, Berlin, New York, Toronto, Moscow, Tokyo, Barcelona, Milan, Miami, and Copenhagen.
Ten leading French maisons — Aubade, Chantelle, Empreinte, Implicite, Lise Charmel, Lou, Louisa Bracq, Maison Lejaby, Passionata, and Simone Pérèle — came together to offer the public a unique perspective on over a century of creativity and craftsmanship in the world of French lingerie.
Nearly 130 iconic pieces were showcased: from 19th-century corsets to the first made-to-measure bras, including girdles, bodysuits, and contemporary thongs. Through this spectacular retrospective, visitors explored not only the evolution of shapes, fabrics, and techniques, but also an essential part of social history — that of women’s intimacy, reclaimed comfort, celebrated beauty, and growing emancipation.
Each piece told a chapter of the daily lives of millions of women around the world.
The exhibition is more than just a static display: it is enriched with videos, vintage advertisements, iconic photographs, and immersive installations. Holographic sequences illustrate how perceptions of the female body have evolved, while a spectacular 3D animation reveals the behind-the-scenes creation of a bra — a complex garment made up of around thirty components in various materials, assembled with millimetric precision to meet skin-contact standards.
This major exhibition was conceived and staged by Catherine Ormen, a renowned fashion historian and the author of several reference works on the history of clothing and design.
Photo Gallery
