Métamorphoses: behind the scenes of milliner Maison Michel at the 19M
Linden-wood hat blocks, moulded felt, stitched straw: the 19M tells the story of Maison Michel's hats, from catwalk to workshop. Free, until 13 December.
in short 23 September – 13 December 2026 · La Galerie du 19M, 2 place Skanderbeg, 75019 Paris · Free, by reservation
published on · by the fugace team · lire en français
Photo · Soliou Ligali / le19M
A whole wall of linden-wood hat blocks, lined up on shelves like jars. That's how Métamorphoses opens, the exhibition the Galerie du 19M devotes to Maison Michel, a Paris milliner since 1936.
The route follows the materials: carved linden, moulded felt, stitched straw, ribbons, veils. Behind every bibi (a small perched hat) stands a block maker, a hatter, a milliner, a straw stitcher. Trades you never get to see.
Berets, boaters, capelines (wide-brimmed hats), fedoras: pieces from the big fashion houses' runway shows sit next to never-seen designs made with young designers. In the black room, white capelines float like apparitions.
Workshops and demonstrations let you get your hands on the tools. Entry is free, by reservation: book a slot on the 19M ticketing site, or try walking in if it isn't busy. Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–6.30pm.
Getting there: Tram T3b Porte d'Aubervilliers, RER E Rosa Parks, or Metro Front Populaire (line 12), 900 metres away, in the 19th arrondissement. You have until 13 December.
