What's in the works: the textile and fashion exhibition between India and France at the Mobilier National

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Published by Graziella de Sortiraparis · Photos by Graziella de Sortiraparis · Updated on December 3, 2025 at 05:13 p.m. · Published on October 6, 2025 at 02:43 p.m.
The Mobilier National will be showcasing the textile creations of India and France, which have been intertwined for centuries, in an exhibition that doubles as a festival, from December 4, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

India and France come together at the heart of the Mobilier National's new exhibition, from December 4, 2025, to January 4, 2026, for a unique encounter between two great textile traditions.

Under the artistic direction of Christian Louboutin, the exhibition celebrates the richness of cultural exchanges between the two countries through the prism of textiles, thanks to a selection of emblematic works, including contemporary creations from the Villa Swagatam residency program, pieces from the collections of the Manufactures nationales, and treasures from major French and Indian institutions.

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An opportunity to observe exceptional Indian and French craftsmanship, which have historically influenced and inspired each other, revealing sumptuous fabrics, shaped and adorned by hand, witness to nearly four centuries of artistic exchanges, from the tents of the Mughal emperors in the 17th century to the catwalks of haute couture, stories to be discovered over the course of eight sections that retrace an often overlooked shared history.

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We get straight to the heart of the matter in the first room, the Antechamber, a reproduction of an 18th-century French apartment, entirely covered in Indian textiles, where Christian Louboutin sought to immerse visitors in history with this tapestry made by hand using traditional techniques. An impressive introduction, with flowers and a fireplace that blend into the decor!

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Several contemporary artworks interact with exceptional fashion pieces, featuring shimmering fabrics, patterns, and colors that catch the eye and amaze visitors. Upstairs, monumental panels display embroidery inspired by mythological and literary sources, opposite superb dresses delicately embroidered and detailed, providing an opportunity to admire a wide range of craftsmanship.

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But this is not just an exhibition, as a festival is also part of this exceptional event!The Institut français invites the general public to two free days on December 6 and 7, 2025, featuring hands-on workshops, live demonstrations by artisans, performances, book signings, and conferences, for a lively exchange around textiles—a real bonus for making this heritage alive, accessible, and interactive.

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This exhibition is aimed at enthusiasts of textile art, fashion, embroidery, and exceptional craftsmanship, as well as lovers of Indian culture and those who enjoy visually spectacular and rather dense exhibitions, as it takes place on two floors. However, if you're not a fan of pieces that need to be observed in detail or if you're looking for a hyper-interactive exhibition, this may not be the ideal choice.

The program

Saturday, December 6

  • 3:00-6:00 p.m.: Hands-on workshops led by Indian artisans in collaboration with artists who completed their residency at Villa Swagatam
  • 3:00-4:30 p.m.: Discussion on the techniques used in Caroline Guiela Nguyen's LACRIMA to make the dresses for the play: Indian embroidery and Alençon lace
  • 4:30-6 p.m.: Round table #1: Creative links between contemporary creation and craftsmanship, with artists from Villa Swagatam
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Presentation and book signing for Broderies. Anthologie curieuse by Audrey Demarre (published by Lamartinière, 2024)
  • 6:30–7:00 p.m.: Performance evening, with two musical sequences organized during the day in the Reading Room by Henri Tournier and Balakumar Paramalingam

Sunday, December 7th

  • 3:00-6:00 p.m.: Practical workshops led by Indian artisans in collaboration with artists who have completed residencies at Villa Swagatam.
  • 2:30-4:00 p.m.: Round table #2: What remains of the "Indiennes"? The origins of European textile printing and its contemporary reappropriation 
  • 4:00-5:00 p.m.: Discussion with artist Yto Barrada, who will represent France at the Venice Biennale in 2026 and completed a research residency in India in April 2025.
  • 5:00-6:30 p.m.: Round table #3: Madras, the story of a textile from India to the Caribbean
  • 7:00 p.m.: Performance by visual artist Daëna Song Cabral, in collaboration with musicians Henri Tournier and Balakumar Paramalingam
Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
From December 4, 2025 to January 4, 2026

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Location

    42 Avenue des Gobelins
    75013 Paris 13

    Route planner

    Prices
    Festival: Free
    Réduit: €5
    Adultes: €8

    Official website
    www.mobiliernational.culture.gouv.fr

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