From Dior’s childhood home in Normandy to Yves Saint Laurent’s archive in Marrakech, these fashion museums are worth planning a trip around
Across Europe and beyond, a new kind of cultural institution is drawing design lovers, curious travellers and fashion devotees alike. These museums, often housed in striking buildings, preserve the spirit of couture, the legacy of craftsmanship and the stories that shaped the entire eras of style. Some hold original toiles and faded sketches, others archive entire careers in rooms built around a single shoulder line. This list pulls together some of the most compelling ones to visit now, whether you’re planning a trip to Florence, Paris, or just waiting for the Devil Wears Prada reboot to drop.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, Marrakech, situated near Jardin Majorelle, showcases a 400m² permanent exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent’s work curated by Christophe Martin. The museum also features a temporary exhibition hall, a 5,000-volume research library, a 140-seat auditorium, a bookshop, and a terrace café.
The Christian Dior Museum, Granville
Founded in 1997, the Musée Christian Dior, located in his childhood home, Villa Les Rhumbs in Granville, offers insight into the designer’s life. This Norman house, painted pink and grey, was a constant source of inspiration for Dior, who credited it with shaping his life and style. The museum now hosts exhibitions on the French fashion house’s history and its connection to iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly.
The FIT Museum, New York
Since 1969, the Museum at FIT has staged forward-thinking fashion exhibitions. To mark its 50th anniversary, “Exhibitionism” revisits 33 of its most memorable shows—from early spotlights on Gilbert Adrian to landmark exhibitions like “A Queer History of Fashion” and “Denim: Fashion’s Frontier.
The MET, New York
The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t solely about ancient art and oil paintings. Its Costume Institute, home to the Anna Wintour Costume Center, has hosted some of the most ambitious fashion exhibitions in the world, often launched with the Met Gala. The shows blend fashion history, cultural commentary, and theatrical staging, attracting millions.
The Museum of Decorative Arts, Paris
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Initially opening in 1905, in a wing of the Marsan du Palais of the Louvre, the Museum of Decorative Arts was designed by Gaston Redon and houses a monumental collection of decorative arts and design pieces. Its archive of over 150,000 fashion pieces has been donated by the likes of Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Lacroix, dating from the 8th century to the modern day. Christian Dior’s iconic tailor bar and the way it sculpted the New Look in 1947 is paid particular attention to. The museum hosted exceptional exhibitions, including Dries van Noten and Tenue Correcte Exigée. In 2017, the prominent Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams exhibition celebrated the French fashion house’s 70th birthday. This exhibition alone attracted over 700,000 guests from around the world, setting a new record for the institution.
The Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, Getaria
Located in the couturier’s birthplace on Spain’s Basque coast, the Cristóbal Balenciaga museum is devoted to Balenciaga’s exacting eye and technical mastery. Following a renovation, it now features six themed halls highlighting sustainability, diversity, and the designer’s lasting influence on contemporary fashion.
The Gucci Garden, Florence
Curated by Maria Luisa Frisa, the Gucci Garden Galleria brings together archives, advertising, artisan craft, and Alessandro Michele’s eclectic vision. Themed rooms—like ‘Guccification’ and ‘De Rerum Natura’—explore everything from celebrity culture to flora and fauna. There’s also a cinema screening Zeus Machine/Phoenix and a café for post-visit people-watching.
The Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais
Established in 1870, the Boulart Factory, a former lace factory, transformed into a fashion hub in June 2009. It showcases 3,200 lace designs (1850-present), a fabric library with 500,000 samples, and 30,000 lace pieces. Notable exhibitions include Haute Dentelle featuring couture from Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Margiela, and a retrospective on Hubert de Givenchy, highlighting iconic designs like the Bettina blouse and Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress.
The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, Florence
Housed in the Palazzo Spini Feroni since 1995, this museum focuses on the brand’s legacy in craftsmanship and innovation. Alongside classic shoe displays, the upcoming Salvatore Ferragamo 1898–1960 exhibition (opening June 28, 2025) introduces tactile replicas and a tactile map for inclusive access.
Fashion Museum, Bath
Founded in 1963 and currently in the midst of relocation, this UK institution holds 100,000 pieces spanning four centuries. From rare 18th-century gowns to contemporary British fashion, it’s a vital archive for researchers and curators worldwide. Its long-running ‘Dress of the Year’ program continues to document shifting styles.
ModeMuseum Province, Antwerp
Antwerp’s MoMu is known for immersive, idea-driven fashion exhibitions staged within a carefully designed 19th-century space. Recent shows explore the intersection of fashion and interiors through a gender lens, while past retrospectives on Martin Margiela have cemented its reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting fashion museums.
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