A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th Century

What does a garment reveal when it breaks free from the conventions of its time? With A Wardrobe of One’s Own: Dissident Femininities in the 19th Century, the Palais Galliera offers a fresh perspective on those women who, through their appearance, redefined the contours of femininity. Far more than a history of fashion, the exhibition tells the stories of women’s journeys who chose to interpret the sartorial codes of their time in a different way. Silhouettes, accessories and garments bear witness to individual aspirations, discreet achievements and freedoms patiently asserted.

When clothing tells a different story of women

As visitors make their way through the exhibition, the designs on display reveal how clothing can become a form of expression, a tool for emancipation or even a means of self-affirmation. The exhibition thus sheds light on the links between fashion, social norms and the construction of identities at a time when women’s roles were undergoing profound changes. Behind each piece lies a unique, often little-known story that invites us to view the 19th century in a new light.

Rosa Bonheur: emancipation through clothing

Among the items on display are, in particular, costumes and objects that belonged to Rosa Bonheur, a leading figure in animal painting. Their presence offers a poignant insight into the life of an artist who, both in her life and in her appearance, asserted a form of freedom that was unusual for her time. Combining textile heritage with personal narratives, Un vestiaire à soi reveals how clothing can preserve the memory of personal choices, acts of resistance and new ways of being in the world. It is an invitation to discover the history of fashion as well as that of the individuals who shaped it.

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