5 great reasons why you should come and visit the Stephen Jones exhibition
The "Stephen Jones, Chapeaux d'artiste" exhibition whisks visitors off on an initiatory journey from London to Paris that chronicles the prolific career of the most Frenchy milliner ever and celebrates the hat: an accessory elevated to a work of art, forty years after the tribute the Palais Galliera paid to the famous milliner Madame Paulette (1900-1984). Read on to discover 5 great reasons why you should come and visit the exhibition at the Palais Galliera.
1. To discover a celebrated figure who is totally one-of-a-kind behind the scenes in the fashion world
Perhaps you aren't familiar with his name, but the creator-designer Stephen Jones is one of the world's greatest milliners. He has played a decisive role on the Parisian fashion stage over the last four decades. After opening his first salon "Stephen Jones Millinery", in London, in 1980, he quickly went on to launch two hat collections a year thanks to his various encounters in the fashion world. He made a name for himself in particular with the Blitz Kids who patronized the Blitz nightclub in Covent Garden, thanks to Jasper Conran who paved the way for him to design hats for Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, as well as with Vivienne Westwood who thrust him into the limelight. Inspired by the City of Light and French culture, he made his debut in the Parisian fashion scene in 1983 alongside iconic figures such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. Then came Louis Vuitton, Comme des Garçons, Schiaparelli and Christian Dior with which he has worked for almost 30 years. The exhibition also explores his ability to create hats to meet the expectations of designers, Parisian haute couture houses, and even to take to the runways in Paris for their collections. An exclusive interview with Jean Paul Gaultier is also included in the tour that takes a look back at this encounter that really marked Stephen Jones' arrival in the world of Paris fashion.
2. To learn all about the milliner's art and the hat-making process
"When you create a hat, you have to take a host of things into account: shape, colour, texture, cultural influences, and even fashion! But, the most important thing is the desire it sparks in you." Stephen Jones
The exhibition unveils Stephen Jones' creative process by showcasing a myriad of hats. It invites to discover the art of hat-making as well as the milliner's craft, which is less well-known to the public at large. Through an installation imagined by the artist himself, Stephen Jones takes visitors on a journey through the different stages in making a hat. Stephen Jones perpetuates the traditional gestures, from the initial sketch, the first artistic expression, to finishing by adding trimmings, from steaming felts and straws on wooden forms to assembling the most varied materials, all a blend of art and craft, which were taught to him by Shirley Hex when he was training in Lachasse, in London. Discover the interview with the milliner in London on the Palais Galliera YouTube channel.
3. To take a trip back to the musical world of the Blitz Club in the 1980s
To ensure visitors are truly immersed in Stephen Jones' world, the exhibition is accompanied by a carefully-selected musical playlist that takes you back to the atmosphere of the Blitz Club in Covent Garden and the New Romantic movement of the late 70s, a musical trend embodied in particular by bands such as Spandau Ballet and Visage. Stephen Jones created numerous hats for Blitz regulars, namely Kim Bowen and Steve Strange, the first-ever client to purchase a hat from the young milliner. Through his encounters in the world of music, notably Boy George, lead singer of Culture Club, Stephen Jones took his first steps into fashion.
Discover the exhibition playlist for free on Spotify, Deezer or YouTube.
4. To delve into a stylish, fanciful and entertaining world
Berets, top hats, fascinators... Around 170 hats and forty-odd full silhouettes celebrate the hat and follow Stephen Jones' fabulous journey from post-Beatles Liverpool to Parisian runways, and highlight the influence Paris had on the milliner. This exhibition has been imagined to suit all ages, it's designed for lovers of headgear as well as anyone inquisitive who wishes to find out more about this accessory, the milliner and his influence in the realm of fashion. Descriptive labels that have been specially created for children and families ensure the youngest visitors can learn about the exhibition themes in a fun, understandable way. These mediation tools invite children to discover the art of hat-making and explore the various sections of the exhibition with tailored explanations. A fun-filled, enriching tour for young and old alike, for sure!
5. To head home with an exclusive photo-booth souvenir
Keep the Stephen Jones experience alive! At the end of the exhibition tour, visitors have an opportunity to keep a souvenir by taking a photo of themselves in the photo booth. Thanks to generative artificial intelligence, dive into Stephen Jones' world and try on a hat by choosing a model from the exhibition and a London or Paris theme. Everyone will find the hat that suits them best so they can turn into a muse just for a moment and head home with their revamped portrait photo.
Visitors can print their photos for €3 or have them sent by email for free.
Informations pratiques
- Date et horaires :
- Durée :
"Stephen Jones, chapeaux d'artiste" an exhibition running at the Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris (Paris Museum of Fashion) until 16 March 2025.
Solo ticket : €12 (full price), €10 (reduced price), free admission for under 18s.
Combined ticket that includes the "Fashion on the Move #2" collections exhibition: 15€ (TP), 13€ (TR), gratuit pour les moins de 18 ans.
Address: 10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75116 Paris.
Times: from Tuesday to Sunday until 6pm. Open late on Fridays until 9pm.
- Event over