Studio KO adorns the Museum of Fashion and Costume with its finest decorations

In the heart of Arles, the Fragonard family celebrates the history of regional fashion at the Museum of Fashion and Costume, which opened on July 6th. Housed in the fully renovated 17th-century Hôtel Bouchaud-de-Bussy, this museum provides a prestigious setting for an exceptional collection of Arlesian costumes, the result of a collaboration between collectors Magali and Odile Pascal, and Anne, Agnès, and Françoise Costa, heirs to the Fragonard family. The acquisition and promotion of the Pascal collection, reflecting a commitment to passing on and sharing this heritage, make the textile history of Provence accessible and vibrant.

The renovation of the Hôtel Bouchaud-de-Bussy, led by Studio KO with the expertise of heritage architect Nathalie d’Artigues, meticulously recreates the volumes and architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries, while seamlessly integrating a contemporary scenography perfectly harmonized with the collections. Historic and modern staircases converse, the floors evoke Marseille faience, and the walls are adorned with the hues of Rhône riverboat canvas, while a gilded brass door opens onto the museum's treasures. Every detail, from the materials used for the surfaces to the color scheme, has been carefully considered to accommodate costumes that are sometimes three hundred years old, balancing conservation, presentation, and an immersive experience for the visitor. The museum's layout unfolds like a chronological narrative, where traditional silhouettes mingle with creations born from the evolution of fashion, illustrating the complementary relationship between the capital and local practices. Drawing on their experience with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty paid particular attention to the museum's design, guiding the viewer's gaze with plays of light that reveal the richness of the materials, embroideries, and motifs. The transformation of the Hôtel Bouchaud is thus accompanied by a carefully staged presentation, turning the space into a theater of the Provençal art of living, where colors, textures, and exquisite details all contribute to the story.

The merging of the Costa and Pascal collections offers a comprehensive view of Arlesian fashion, from the Ancien Régime to the 20th century, and illustrates the collectors' approach: organizing, selecting, and contextualizing objects to restore their meaning and historical value. Each piece becomes a fragment of history, a testament to the women of Arles and the clothing practices of their time. The museum does not simply preserve; it recounts, illuminates, and conveys centuries of creativity and textile expertise. In this sense, it embodies a unique encounter between architectural heritage, museum excellence, and a passion for collections, where the visitor's experience is constructed through space, light, and materials to reveal the soul and memory of a city and its costumes.

Photo credits: fdeladerriere