© Emma Birski / Getty Images
Leopard print, gold, supermodels, and fashion icons on every floor: the Musée Maillol turns into a giant runway for the first French retrospective dedicated to Gianni Versace in nearly 40 years. Inside, over 450 unique pieces—including accessories, sketches, decorative objects, photographs, and videos—reveal the vast career of one of the greatest fashion designers of the late 20th century. From ancient influences to Baroque prints, bondage dresses, and iconic silk shirts, the exhibition is a pure shot of Italian maximalism that will make you want to forget quiet luxury forever.
Who was Gianni Versace?
© Emma Birski / Getty Images
Calling all fashion lovers! We all know the name—and the powerhouse brand—Versace, a pillar of the fashion industry since the end of the last century. But do you know the life story of its creator? Do you know what makes him so unique? Gianni Versace didn’t just design clothes: he created icons, building a true cultural universe that merged fashion with photography, art, and pop culture. While Versace dressed the biggest stars like Madonna, Prince, Elton John, and Lady Diana, he also transformed the fashion world into a global media phenomenon.
Remember the supermodels? In the 1990s, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford transcended the runway to become global icons. Under the direction of French scenographer Nathalie Crinière, the museum morphs into a giant fashion show. Striking mannequins, exuberant looks, and an imposing runway take over the Musée Maillol for a fully immersive experience, with each step of the journey revealing a new facet of his genius. The tour kicks off with a reconstruction of his workshop, complete with sketches, photos, and illustrations, before diving straight into the heart of the matter: the looks.
Baroque, Pop-Art, and Bondage
© Emma Birski / Fred Duval
The exhibition is divided into eleven distinct themes, each capturing a unique facet of the House of Versace. Our favorites? First, the Magna Graecia collection, which celebrates ancient art through numerous nods—the most obvious being the Medusa head, the ultimate emblem of the brand. We also love the Pop-Art section highlighting the influence of Warhol and Basquiat on his work, alongside the Marilyn Monroe prints. You absolutely cannot miss the Barocco collection, perhaps the ultimate representation of the Versace aesthetic: black, gold, and decorative patterns symbolizing 17th-century opulence.
Our ultimate crush goes to Punk and Bondage, his most talked-about collections. They scream anti-conformism, breaking every rule while showcasing Versace's exceptional craftsmanship: leather, buckles, belts, piercings, and, of course, the famous safety pins instantly recognizable from the mythical dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Finally, the absolute highlight of the exhibition: the Vanitas, those iconic silk shirts that embody the brand’s entire identity—boldness, meticulous detail, and, above all, color. As Gianni Versace once said: “Those who are afraid of color are afraid of life.” Period.
Gianni Versace Retrospective running throughout the summer of 2026. Open daily from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, and Wednesdays until 10:00 pm.
Also discover 7 free exhibitions to discover right now and Marilyn Monroe’s Hidden Side Revealed at the Cinémathèque
