Photo : © Tadzio
Philosophy for the family – Dressing up: a necessity, an art, or a game?
Clothes are much more than fabric and seams; they are stories we tell the world every morning. Grab the kids for an insightful morning of conversation where philosophy meets fashion to decode why we dress the way we do.
Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris 4th)
About
The Maison Européenne de la Photographie is hosting a philosophy workshop titled Philo en famille on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 14:30 to 16:00. Aimed at children aged 7 and up and their parents, the session explores how clothing shapes our identity and social expression. Participants will begin with a self-guided tour of the PENN & FASHION and Vêtement du quotidien exhibitions before joining a discussion led by Marine Lemaire. Space is strictly limited to 15 participants, and advance booking is mandatory to secure your spot for this 1.5-hour session.
After exploring the exhibitions PENN & FASHION and Everyday Clothing on your own, parents and children are invited to come together to take the time to express their ideas, exchange views, and listen to one another in a friendly atmosphere.
Even before we speak, do our clothes already say something about us? Can they hide us, reveal us, or transform us? Why do theater, circus, clown, drag queen, or carnival costumes allow us to invent other ways of being?
Using the works presented in the exhibitions as a starting point, parents and children will together question clothing as a means of expression, a material to create and transform with, but also as a personal choice and a social phenomenon. An invitation to look differently at what we wear… and what our clothes say about us.
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Marine Lemaire holds a degree from the École Supérieure d’Arts et Médias de Caen and is trained as a facilitator in the design and management of philosophical workshops for children and teenagers at the University of Nantes. A radio host, she is also the creator of podcasts, notably La Morsure de Socrate, where children philosophize. She believes in philosophy as an educational foundation for intercultural dialogue and social transformation. Children have a great capacity for questioning; giving them the opportunity to do so is essential to enable them to build a self, to coexist, to cooperate, and to become aware of a diverse world.
Our take on this event
This workshop invites families to discuss clothing not just as fabric, but as a means of communication. Do our clothes reveal or conceal who we are? Why do costumes from the circus, theater, or carnivals allow us to explore new facets of our identity? By examining works from the PENN & FASHION and Vêtement du quotidien exhibitions, parents and children will reflect on clothing as a creative material and a social choice.
Marine Lemaire, an expert in philosophical workshops for youth, will guide the conversation to foster interaction and critical thinking. The event is tailored for children from age 7 and their parents. It is a unique opportunity to view our daily attire through a new lens.
The session lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets are priced at 15 € for adults and 5 € for children. Since the group is capped at 15 people, reservations must be made in advance.
