What to expect

The exhibition "Iris van Herpen. Sculpting the Senses," showcased at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris from November 29, 2023, to April 28, 2024, pays tribute to Iris van Herpen, a renowned fashion designer known for her pioneering use of new technologies and her transgressive approach to conventional clothing norms. The exhibition explores the relationship between the body, clothing, and the environment, highlighting van Herpen's futuristic vision in a constantly evolving world.

Featuring over 100 pieces of haute couture, the exhibition highlights the unique fusion of fashion, contemporary art, design, and science. Van Herpen's creations engage in a dialogue with works by artists such as Philip Beesley, Wim Delvoye, and Damien Jalet, as well as designs by Neri Oxman and Tomáš Libertíny. Elements from the natural sciences, such as corals and fossils, resonate particularly with historical pieces.

The exhibition "Iris van Herpen. Sculpting the Senses" goes beyond a mere haute couture presentation; it invites visitors on an immersive journey into van Herpen's distinctive universe. It is accompanied by a sound composition created by Salvador Breed, enhancing the sensory and immersive experience of the exhibition.

Born in 1984, Iris van Herpen grew up in the village of Wamel, in harmony with nature and the living world. After training with Alexander McQueen and Claudy Jongstra, she founded Maison Iris van Herpen in Amsterdam in 2007. Her creations challenge clothing norms, subtly blending craftsmanship and innovation. In 2010, she presented her first 3D-printed dress, marking a turning point in her career.

Aware of environmental issues, van Herpen prioritizes eco-friendly manufacturing methods, using materials such as recycled plastic or 3D-printed cocoa beans. Her works are internationally recognized, and she is considered one of the most remarkable and surprising fashion designers of her generation.

The retrospective celebrates her unique approach, revolving around nine themes that capture the essence of her work, merging fashion, contemporary art, design, and science. The theme of water and the origins of life inaugurates the journey, featuring her latest collection "Carte Blanche" in dialogue with David Spriggs' work "Origins." The exhibition also explores water on the scale of the vast ocean, with the wave from the Mé Collective.

An exhibition space reveals natural environments invisible to the naked eye, explored in the 19th century by Ernst Haeckel or through the exceptional glass models of Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka. Works by Ren Ri and Tomáš Libertíny, composed by bees, engage in a dialogue with the fragility of Rogan Brown's paper creations.

The theme of the skeleton is also explored, with Iris van Herpen's "Skeleton" dress echoing the hybrid skeleton of a work by Japanese artist Heishiro Ishino. The role of the body is highlighted in the midst of organic and architectural networks, represented by a dress metaphorical of a Gothic cathedral. Pieces such as Ferruccio Laviani's Gothic cabinet and a documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, "Terra," illustrate van Herpen's commitment to the defense of life and the interconnections of its ecosystems.

The visitor is then invited to explore the world of the sensory, with photographs by Tim Walker, a work by Matthew Harrison, and a projection of Refik Anadol's "Renaissance Dreams." The exhibition concludes with a presentation of Iris van Herpen's works projected into the vastness of the cosmos, symbolizing bodies floating in space and time, in harmony with the photographs of artist Kim Keever.

The exhibition "Iris van Herpen. Sculpting the Senses" offers an immersive experience, revealing the significance of fashion as a means of artistic expression and reflection on the contemporary world. It demonstrates fashion's ability to transcend its traditional role and become a true vector of cultural, social, and environmental reflection.

Group quotation

Are you organizing an event for a group of more than 10 people?

For privatization, a seminar, a party with friends, etc., please send us your detailed request. An expert from Come to Paris will provide you with a personalized response within 2 business days.

Get in touch now