Juts in time for fashion week, the Paris city council has organised yet another large-scale, quality exhibition – Paris Haute Couture – and as always entrance is free!

Read on for all the info…With only six months to go until the city’s fashion museum, Musée Galliera reopens (after renovation), things seem to be very busy for them. In addition to the exhibition at the Cité de la Mode et du Design Model – the body of fashion, they are also behind this large new exhibition in the majestic halls of Hôtel de Ville.

With all the great names of the 20th century represented, you’ll see exquisite pieces by Lanvin, Chanel, Nina Ricci, Balenciaga, Grès, Balmain, Carven, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Courrèges, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lacroix, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Mugler, Martin Margiela…

Paris is, of course, the perfect place for  this sort of display. All the haute-couture houses are based here, with an extraordinary concentration of skills. Milan and New York may have hot catwalk shows, but nowhere else in the world can match the artistry of hand-stitching clothes that Paris has.

Take a look at some photos from the exhibition in the Google gallery here. French-speakers will also find pages of further information on the officiel site: www.paris.fr/haute-couture.

Don’t speak French? Then you’ll just have to marvel at the sewing…

For kids, a free PDF sheet is available to download here, and the official catalogue (287 pages, 40€, French only I’m afraid) is available here from amazon.fr. You can get a quick peek below. Click the centre of the image to go fullscreen.

The exhibition Paris Haute Couture is at Hôtel de Ville (here) until 6th July 2013

Open every day except Sundays and public holidays from 10am – 7pm. Last entrance 6.15pm

Admission: free! However, expect to wait in line for at least 15 minutes…

Official site: www.paris.fr/haute-couture

Facebook: facebook.com/paris

Twitter: twitter.com/Paris