Photo : Emma Birski
We saw and loved… the “Gianni Versace Retrospective” exhibition at the Musée Maillol
Forget minimalism and dive headfirst into the bold, opulent world of Gianni Versace. This retrospective is a rare deep-dive into the archives of the man who redefined luxury, featuring everything from his legendary runway shows to his intimate ties with the Parisian fashion scene.
Musée Maillol (Paris 7th)
About
The Musée Maillol presents a major retrospective dedicated to the Italian fashion legend Gianni Versace. Featuring one hundred and twenty outfits and over six hundred objects, this exhibition offers a deep dive into the designer's flamboyant world. From September 30 to October 31, 2026, visitors can explore his signature Baroque prints, metallic fabrics, and iconic runway moments from the 1990s. The collection highlights his creative partnerships and his historical bond with Paris, where he unveiled his first haute couture line. This ticketed event welcomes guests daily, with late-night opening hours until 22:00 on Thursdays.
What to expect
One hundred and twenty silhouettes and 600 objects and archives for a total immersion into the world of Gianni Versace! The rooms follow one another to first discover the fabrics that marked the Italian's work, then the artists who inspired him, before arriving at his creations presented on 99 mannequins and 21 busts.
We rediscover Versace, the friend of the stars, while admiring the photos of the dresses he designed for Madonna, Elton John, Céline Dion, Prince, and Lady Diana. We also see videos of the fashion shows where the supermodels of the 1990s – Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer – surround the couturier. Not to mention the costumes he designed for the shows of Maurice Béjart, William Forsythe, and Roland Petit.
The exhibition «Gianni Versace Retrospective», at the Musée Maillol (7th). ; Credits: Audrey Ly Sortir à Paris Gold, leopard print and oronton, a metallic fabric he invented... We are very far from minimalism with Gianni Versace! ; Credits: Audrey Ly Sortir à Paris The famous Barocco print by Gianni Versace. ; Credits: Audrey Ly The cut and materials in the foreground. ; Credits: Emma Birski No garment is as iconic to Gianni Versace as his richly printed silk shirt. ; Credits: Emma BirskiEditorial opinion
One of Gianni Versace's most famous quotes is inscribed on the exhibition walls: "Those who are afraid of color are afraid of life." One thing strikes us as we walk through the rooms of the Musée Maillol (7th), which has become resolutely pop for the occasion: the Italian, for his part, embraced life with passion!
We knew his baroque prints, his outfits inspired by orthodox madonnas or the Medusa head, adopted as the emblem of his fashion house. But what we appreciated even more in this retrospective is discovering the fashion designer's love for Paris. It was in the capital that this son of a modest Italian seamstress became a star and presented his first haute couture line in 1989. It was also here that he opened his very first boutique in 1991 – at 62, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré (8th) – and dazzled with his final collection on July 6, 1997… Nine days before being murdered by a fanatic in Miami.
Comprehensive and fascinating, this exhibition is a must-see for fashion lovers. Some rooms are very busy – like his style – but the whole thing remains captivating. And even if you are not passionate about catwalks, it is easy to get carried away by the energy of the 1990s, the legendary fashion shows, and the assumed exuberance of his universe. For us, it especially makes us want to add a little color and baroque to our outfits!
- Éléonore V.
Where? At the Musée Maillol, 59-61 rue de Grenelle (7th)
When? Every day, until October 31.
Our take on this event
Located in the 7th arrondissement, the Musée Maillol hosts an extensive exhibition exploring the creative legacy of Gianni Versace. The display showcases one hundred and twenty outfits arranged on 99 mannequins and 21 busts, supported by 600 pieces of archival material. Visitors can trace the designer's evolution through his unique textiles and costumes created for performers like Elton John, Prince, and choreographers including William Forsythe.
The retrospective highlights Versace's relationships with 1990s supermodels and his significant history in the French capital. It was in Paris that he established his first boutique in 1991 and introduced his debut haute couture collection in 1989. The exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the life of the designer who famously believed that those who fear color fear life.
The exhibition runs from September 30, 2026, to October 31, 2026. Doors are open from 10:30 to 18:30, Monday through Sunday, with extended evening hours until 22:00 every Thursday. Access to the venue requires a paid ticket.
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