Winter, with its crisp air and sparkling evenings, has a certain allure, doesn’t it? It’s the time of year when we gravitate toward the warmth of museums, galleries, and cultural spaces, indulging in the best of art, design, and fashion. If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable winter experience, this season brings two events that will undoubtedly be a must-see of any fashion girl.

The Louvre’s Fashion Exhibition: A Marriage of Art & Couture

We’ll start at Paris’s iconic Louvre, which recently announced a major renovation, also just opened its first ever fashion exhibit:  Louvre Couture. Art and fashion: statement pieces.

Covering 9,000 square meters of gallery space, the exhibition takes us on a journey through history, featuring haute couture designs from the 18th century to today. In an extraordinary fusion of the museum’s art collections and the world of fashion, the exhibition includes over 100 garments and accessories, offering a rare opportunity to see the intricate craftsmanship of iconic designers like Chanel, Dior, and Givenchy, placed in context with the historical furniture and objects that inspired them.

a black ballgown in lush art museum

© Musée du Louvre / Nicolas Bousser A look by Balenciaga

The collection tells stories of societal shifts, from the extravagant creations of the 18th century aristocracy to the bold visions of contemporary couturiers. It’s a thoughtful reminder that fashion is more than just what we wear—it’s a reflection of culture, politics, and aesthetics through the ages. If you’re in Paris this winter, it’s hard to imagine a better place to be than wandering the grand halls of the Louvre, letting the art of fashion weave seamlessly into the masterpieces that line the walls.

avantgarde dress displayed in an opulent room with classic decor

© Musée du Louvre / Nicolas Bousser A dress by Iris Van Herpen in the Grand Salon

Hamish Bowles Own Collection of YSL

Across the channel, Hamish Bowles—Vogue’s global editor-at-large and famed fashion historian—curates an exquisite Yves Saint Laurent showcase at the designer’s Museum in Marrakech. A stunning and personal exhibition, Yves Saint Laurent: The Hamish Bowles Collection, showcases 53 pieces from the legendary designer, accumulated by Bowles across 5 decades. The exhibition is decidedly more understated than previous displays of the designer, with Bowles taking a particular liking to the clothes worn by exceptionally stylish women, noting that they “generally…wanted clothes that would accentuate their good looks rather than eclipse them.”

Image may contain Blouse Clothing Dress Coat Evening Dress Formal Wear Fashion Adult and Person

Vogue: Saint Laurent’s Masquerade evening dress for Christian Dior, 1958. Photographed by Pernille Loof and Thomas Loof.

This exhibit encapsulates Saint Laurent’s legacy—his pioneering efforts to transform the way women dress, his obsession with beauty, and his ever-present curiosity about the world. You’ll walk away not just with a new appreciation for YSL, but with an understanding of how fashion can transcend its own moment in time and continue to speak to future generations.

Image may contain Hamish Bowles Plant Potted Plant Face Head Person Photography Portrait Purple Vegetation and Jar

Vogue: Hamish Bowles amid the Jardin Majorelle. Photograph by Georgina Godley. Courtesy of Hamish Bowles.