After finishing the thread of embroidery, weaving and pleating, the Galerie du 19M shifts gears and kicks off its season with a new exhibition. From 23 September to 13 December 2026, Metamorphoses, the Hats of Maison Michel sheds light on a Parisian house founded in 1936 and renowned for hatmaking. Free and open to all, the exhibition balances interest between finished pieces and the precise gestures that bring them to life.
Free exhibitions: the can't-miss art picks this autumn 2026 in Paris
Deal-hunters, you’re in luck! Here’s the perfect guide for you: a curated list of the finest free exhibitions to catch in Paris and Île-de-France this autumn 2026. Discover our selection. [Read more]
The journey traces the material to its mark. Linden wood is used to carve the shapes, felt is molded, straw is sewn, ribbons joined, and small veils adjusted. Behind each hat the roles of form exporters, hatters, milliners, and straw-sewers follow one another. These rare trades, often hidden backstage, are brought into the spotlight by the 19M.
As the tour unfolds, headwear takes center stage in a striking range of styles and silhouettes. Berets, bibi hats, caps, boaters, cloches, or capelines trace the evolution of hat-making, while models created for the runways of the world's top fashion houses sit alongside pieces made with young designers. Taken together, they show how a single accessory can define an outfit or stand as a work of design in its own right.
The visit continues beyond the display cases. Workshops, demonstrations and meet-and-greets invite children and adults alike to handle the materials, explore the tools, and learn some basic hat-making techniques. A chance to better appreciate the craft behind a curve, a volume, or a perfectly finished edge.
Founded in Paris in 1936, Maison Michel has kept alive for nearly a century the crafts of milliner, hatter, and corset maker. Supplying Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collections for numerous fashion houses, it also develops its own lines under the artistic direction of Priscilla Royer. Based at 19M, it joined the Chanel Métiers d’Art ecosystem in 1997.
In the 19e, hats steal the spotlight... and reveal all their secrets!
An empty animation container, prepared to reveal content as you scroll or interact, used on the exhibit page.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 23, 2026 to December 13, 2026
Location
The 19M Gallery
2 Place Skanderbeg
75019 Paris 19
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
www.le19m.com
Free exhibitions: the can't-miss art picks this autumn 2026 in Paris
