I’ve never been to Musee Guimet, the Asian Art Museum of Paris in the 16th arr. It is one of those museums I’ve always wanted to visit but it fell by the wayside.
I read there was a new exhibition of kimonos and at the spur of the moment on Saturday I paid a visit.
Founded by industrialist Emile Etienne Guimet, the museum originally opened in Lyon in 1879 and later moved to Paris n 1889 on Place d’Iena. An avid traveler, Guimet was commissioned in 1876 by the minister of public instruction to study the religions of the Far East, and the museum contains much of what he collected during his journey. Musee Guimet has one of the most extensive collections of Asian art outside of Asia.
Before seeing the kimono exhibit- Kimono — Au bonheur des dames, I visited the permanent collection. The most formidable room was the two-story, domed library with Ionic columns, adorned with Greek statues and a giant Buddha in the center.
Kimono- Au bonheur des dames on the lower level of the museum is a collection of 150 kimonos from the esteemed house of Matsuzakaya from Japan, started in 1611. The occasion marks the first time Matsuzakaya has lent the kimonos to an institution outside of Japan, making the exhibit even more of a rare treat.
It traces the origins and evolution of the kimono and its accessories, showing how it went from being an undergarment exclusively worn by the upper class and how it later became popular fashion in Japan. The kimono became fashionable in Europe in the mid-1800s and the last room of the exhibit displays modern day interpretations by fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, and John Galliano.
The ancient kimonos are stunning and the attention to detail in each garment is astounding with hundreds of examples of the finest and minute needlework. Also the color combinations, the rich quality of the luminous silk and the delicate patterns are awe-inspiring.
The kimonos are so fine that the museum will change the display in April to feature all new kimonos, so the others won’t be damaged from exposure.
Make sure you watch the informative video in the last room with interviews of fashion designers and art historians.
Put this exhibit at the top of your Paris to do list.
Till May 22
Musee Guimet
6 place d’Iena, 75116
Metro: Iena
http://www.guimet.fr/en/
Obi/sashes
Couturier Franck Sorbier
Yves Saint Laurent
John Galliano
John Galliano
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