What: Printemps Haussmann unveils "Primavera, l'art à la mode," an exhibition showcasing its historic design studio's creations from the 1920s and 1930s, highlighting the department store's pioneering role in democratising decorative arts.

Why it is important: By showcasing its design heritage alongside current fashion collections, Printemps illustrates how department stores have historically shaped both decorative arts and consumer culture, maintaining this influence into the present.

Running until April 14, the exhibition celebrates Primavera, Printemps' innovative design studio established in 1912, which aimed to democratise art through limited-series decorative pieces and furniture created by artists. The studio gained prominence during the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, contributing significantly to the Art Deco movement. Located in the atrium and lower level of the women's store, with additional displays in the windows, the exhibition presents a diverse collection of furniture, ceramics, glassware, wallpapers, and textiles from the 1920s and 1930s. The historical pieces are thoughtfully juxtaposed with Spring-Summer 2025 fashion collections for both men and women, creating a dialogue between vintage design and contemporary fashion that emphasizes the timeless modernity of these archival objects.

IADS Notes: Printemps Haussmann's Primavera exhibition aligns with broader cultural initiatives related to department store history. This showcase of design archives demonstrates how retailers continue to leverage their heritage. The initiative reflects a trend among department stores to highlight their cultural contributions, connecting historical innovation with contemporary retail experiences. Also, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of Architecture recently had  comprehensive exhibitions on department stores, with the involvment of IADS archives and some IADS members taking part of the second one.

Printemps Haussmann showcases its historic design studio's creations