A landmark name in millinery and headwear, active for nearly a century, Maison Michel, resident art house of the 19M, is honoured by the Galerie du 19M Paris/Aubervilliers. It is an opportunity to discover its unique know-how through an exceptional exhibition, Métamorphoses, les chapeaux de Maison Michel, from 23 September to 13 December 2026.
From linden wood to felt, from ribbon to veiling
Faithful to the 19M's mission of making the Métiers d'art accessible to as many people as possible, this free exhibition open to all audiences offers an immersion into the marvellous world of Maison Michel. Conceived as a poetic journey through forms and materials, the exhibition highlights the magic of the artisanal gesture and the diversity of the skills that animate the worlds of millinery. A living heritage, enriched every day in the workshops of the art house, where the transmission of rare techniques nourishes a creation in constant evolution.
By tracing the transformation of raw material, from linden wood to felt, from ribbon to veiling, the visitor plunges into the heart of this creative alchemy, meeting the formiers, chapeliers, straw sewers or modistes, who all contribute to shaping the headwear, a symbol of identity and personal expression.
Berets, bibis, caps, boater hats, capelines and fedoras, stars of the exhibition
At the heart of the exhibition, berets, bibis, caps, boater hats, capelines and fedoras rub shoulders with exceptional pieces unveiled during runway shows for the greatest fashion houses, as well as new creations resulting from collaborations with young designers.
By turns popular, spectacular, practical or surprising, the hat asserts itself as a powerful marker of identity. Its evocative force also permeates collective imaginations, as its place in cinema attests, where it goes beyond the simple status of accessory to become a powerful visual clue. The visitor is thus invited to rediscover the full symbolic scope of the hat in the 7th art, where it continues to forge unforgettable figures.
Did you know?
Founded in Paris in 1936, Maison Michel is a millinery workshop where artisanal art and creativity come together to shape exceptional headwear. With a heritage of nearly a century, the house perpetuates the rare crafts of modiste, formier and chapelier, guarantors of a unique know-how and exceptional finishing.
Supplier to the Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter collections, Maison Michel has also been developing its own collections since 2015 under the artistic direction of Priscilla Royer.