What: The Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris hosts an exhibit exploring the transformative role of department stores in shaping modern consumer culture.

Why it is important: This exhibit is significant as it illustrates how department stores revolutionized shopping by turning it into a leisure activity, promoting mass-produced fashion, and enhancing women's social freedom.

"The Birth of Department Stores" at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris examines the emergence of department stores in Paris during the Second Empire. The exhibit showcases how these stores became centers of consumption and fashion democratization, coinciding with major urban architectural changes under Napoleon III. Featuring a mix of clothing, advertising materials, furniture, and archival footage, the exhibit highlights the pivotal role of department stores in promoting new marketing strategies and lifestyle aspirations. It also delves into the social implications, particularly for women, who found new freedoms and employment opportunities within these retail spaces. Through various displays, the exhibit connects the historical impact of department stores on modern retail practices and consumer culture.

‘The Birth of Department Stores’ Exhibit Dives Into Origins of Consumption, Marketing and Trends