Step into the Louvre, and you’ll find more than just the Mona Lisa this season. For the first time ever, the iconic museum is hosting a fashion exhibition titled Louvre Couture, Art and Fashion: Statement Pieces. Running until July 21, this show explores the fascinating relationship between designers and art, featuring 70 garments and 30 accessories from 45 legendary names like Chanel, Versace, and Dior.

The exhibition is a treasure hunt, with designs tucked into the Louvre’s sprawling galleries. Each piece tells a story, from Dior’s “Musée du Louvre” gown—the only haute couture piece named after a museum—to Gianni Versace’s glittering 1997 metal mesh dress, which took over 600 hours to craft. Visitors can wander through the museum, discovering how fashion designers have drawn inspiration from art across centuries.

The collection highlights the shared creative spirit between fashion and art. A crystal-embroidered Dolce & Gabbana dress mirrors 11th-century Venetian mosaics, while a Dior gown featuring a Sun King motif stands proudly beside a portrait of Louis XIV. Even Karl Lagerfeld’s 2019 Chanel jacket, inspired by an 18th-century chest, makes an appearance, showcasing how the Louvre served as his “second studio.”

This isn’t just about pretty clothes—it’s a celebration of artistic culture. As Olivier Gabet, the exhibition’s curator, puts it, the show isn’t trying to prove whether fashion is art. Instead, it’s about the creative dialogue between designers and the museum’s vast collections. And the conversation is only beginning: in March, the Louvre will host its own version of the Met Gala, a star-studded event that promises to be the talk of Paris.

Whether you’re a fashion lover or an art enthusiast, this exhibition is a must-see. It’s a reminder that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places—even in the halls of the Louvre.