From September 23 to December 13, 2026, la Galerie du 19M in Paris presents Metamorphoses, the Hats of Maison Michel. True to le19M’s mission of making the Métiers d’art accessible to as wide an audience as possible, this free exhibition, open to all, offers an immersive journey into the enchanting world of Maison Michel – a resident Maison d’art at le19M and a leading name in millinery and headwear accessories for nearly a century. |
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| Conceived as a poetic exploration of shapes and materials, the exhibition shines a light on the magic of the artisan’s gestures and the rich diversity of skills that bring the world of millinery to life. It celebrates a living heritage, nurtured every day in the workshops of this Maison d’art, where the transmission of rare techniques continually fuels creative innovation.
Tracing the transformation of raw materials—from lime wood to felt, from ribbon to veiling-the exhibition invites visitors to discover this creative alchemy at first hand, meeting the block makers, hat makers, straw stitchers and milliners whose expertise combines to shape the hat, a powerful symbol of identity and selfexpression.
At the heart of the exhibition, berets, fascinators, caps, boaters, wide-brimmed hats and fedoras are presented alongside exceptional pieces revealed on the runway for the world’s leading fashion Houses, as well as original creations born from collaborations with emerging designers. |
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| By turns popular, spectacular, practical and unexpected, the hat has long established itself as a powerful marker of identity. Its evocative power also permeates the collective imagination, as reflected in its enduring presence in cinema, where it transcends its role as a simple accessory to become a compellin visual signifier. Visitors are invited to rediscover the hat’s rich symbolic significance in the seventh art, where it continues to shape unforgettable characters.
In dialogue with this heritage and Maison Michel’s archives, new works and original collaborations with emerging designers punctuate the exhibition, offering fresh perspectives on the forms, materials and uses of the hat, while bearing witness to the vitality of the craft of millinery.
To extend the experience, a programme of practical workshops, encounters and discussions invites visitors of all ages to discover the gestures of millinery, handle materials and tools, and gain insight into the exceptional craftsmanship behind every creation. |
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| About Maison Michel
Founded in Paris in 1936, Maison Michel is a millinery workshop where exceptional craftsmanship and creativity come together to create outstanding headwear. Drawing on nearly a century of heritage, the House preserves the rare crafts of the milliner, block maker and hat maker, whose expertise ensures unique savoir-faire and exceptional finishes.
A supplier to Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collections, Maison Michel has also developed its own collections since 2015 under the creative direction of Priscilla Royer.
Transmission, innovation and the mastery of traditional techniques lie at the heart of the House’s commitment, ensuring the preservation and continued influence of the Métiers d’art. A resident of le19M, Maison Michel has been part of CHANEL’s Métiers d’art ecosystem since 1997, continuing to write its story through contemporary creation. |
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| About le19M and its Gallery in Paris/Aubervilliers
le19M is a hub for heritage and creation dedicated to the transmission of the Métiers d’art of fashion and decoration. It is the culmination of CHANEL’s longstanding commitment to preserving exceptional craftsmanship, a policy initiated by the House in the 1980s. Since 2021, le19M has brought together 11 Maisons d’art (Atelier Montex and Studio MTX, Desrues, Goossens, Lemarié and Atelier Lognon, Lesage and Lesage Intérieurs, Maison Michel, Massaro, and Paloma), five of which have been awarded the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, as well as an embroidery school and ERES. Together, they form a unique community of 700 artisans and experts, representing 29 Métiers d’art recognised by the Institut pour les Savoir-faire français. Designed by Rudy Ricciotti, the 25,000-square-metre building provides its residents with the very best conditions for creation, innovation and transmission, while fostering unprecedented synergies between the different crafts.
le19M is also home to la Galerie du 19M, a free multidisciplinary space open to all, dedicated to the values of craftsmanship. Through a rich cultural programme of exhibitions, workshops, cultural events and talks, developed in collaboration with a community of cultural partners, it celebrates the excellence and creativity of the Métiers d’art of fashion and decoration. The programme reflects the growing interest of younger generations and the wider public in craft professions, while promoting a collective vision for society. With its café-restaurant, boutique, 7L bookshop corner and cultural garden, la Parcelle, la Galerie du 19M has become a leading cultural destination in north-east Paris. |
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