Study Day: The Cultural Heritage of Fashion
On April 30, 2026, a study day organized by students from the BSc in Management for Fashion and Creative Industries, with the support of the IFM Research Department, brought together scholars and practitioners to examine the processes and stakeholders involved in the cultural heritage of fashion.
Long perceived by both institutions and the general public as a purely economic sector, fashion has in recent years gained recognition within the French cultural landscape. It is now understood as a complex ecosystem—one that includes renowned designers, the institution of the fashion show, and a wide range of professions and specialized know-how. Increasingly, this broader system is being acknowledged, preserved, and promoted by various actors as a cultural expression in its own right.
Recent developments have contributed to strengthening this shift. Events such as receptions in honor of fashion designers at the Élysée Palace, the exhibition “Louvre Couture!”, and the inclusion of Haute Couture in France’s intangible cultural heritage have all underscored fashion’s cultural significance beyond its economic role.
Against this backdrop, the study day explored the political, legal, economic, and socio-cultural mechanisms through which fashion is being constructed and recognized as cultural heritage.
The discussions were structured around three main themes:
- The gradual institutional recognition of fashion
- The study and preservation of fashion objects as a means of legitimization
- The construction of heritage through brand narratives
Program
“A Brief History of the Recognition of Fashion by Public Authorities” – David Zajtmann (IFM)
“Fashion and Heritage – A Marriage of Convenience? Cross Perspectives on Actors, Territories, and Strategies for the Heritagization of Fashion” – Sandra Biondo (Sciences Po)
Roundtable: “The Integration of Fashion into French Cultural Heritage” with Delphine Fournier (Ministry of Culture) and Nicolas Delarue (Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode)
“Beyond the Garment: Archiving the Creative Process of Fashion in Museums” – Jeanne-Léopoldine Claustre (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne)
Roundtable: “The Importance of Private Collectors in Heritage Preservation” with Olivier Châtenet (insitu) and Gabin Bolou (Mysterium Museum)
“The Louvre as a Venue for Fashion Shows” – Marie Brimicombe (Musée du Louvre)
Roundtable: “Archives, Art, and Culture – Valorization Strategies within the LVMH Group” with Aurélie Samuel (Louis Vuitton) and Camille Martinez (Kenzo)
“Palais Galliera: Supporting Fashion Research through Exhibition Curation” – Emilie Hammen (Palais Galliera)
“Public Heritage, Private Heritage: What Narratives for New Exhibition Spaces?” – Olivier Flaviano (La Galerie Dior)
