Viktor & Rolf to Take Over the Musée des Arts Décoratifs Next January Yet another retrospective for the Dutch duo
It is set to be one of the first major fashion highlights of 2027. From January 28 to July 4, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (MAD) will host a major retrospective dedicated to the Dutch duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, celebrating their monumental and unconventional contribution to contemporary haute couture.
Around a hundred creations across two floors
Having already captivated the world's most prestigious institutions - from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as well as Rome's MAXXI - Viktor & Rolf’s work is now moving into a prime new showcase in the heart of Paris.
To orchestrate the event, the designers have once again trusted curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot. Loriot was already behind the "Viktor & Rolf: Fashion Statements" exhibition presented at the Kunsthalle Munich in 2024, which arrives here enriched with several recent collections. It was an obvious choice for the duo, as they told Vogue France: "We love working with him. He is probably the person who knows our work best, apart from the two of us! It was almost a given that we would embark on this new adventure with him."
Fashion in museums: a democratic approach
While Viktor & Rolf have increased their exhibitions in recent years, it is not out of mere narcissism, but from a genuine desire to open the doors of their world to a wider audience. For them, the traditional runway format remains too exclusive: "For us, museums are much more democratic spaces than fashion shows."
Spread across two floors, the exhibition will be organized around several themes retracing key moments of the house founded in 1993. Visitors will be able to admire around a hundred iconic pieces. Among the most anticipated are the legendary "Russian Doll" collection (where model Maggie Rizer was dressed layer upon layer on the runway), as well as the famous XXL tulle gowns from the "Fashion Statement" collection, featuring pop slogans that have since become cult classics, such as "No Photos Please" or "I’m Not Shy I Just Don’t Like You."
By blurring the lines between haute couture and contemporary art, the duo has won over the boldest figures in pop culture, dressing the likes of Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Cardi B, as well as Tilda Swinton and artist Cindy Sherman.
OTB acquires 100% of the house
This announcement coincides with a major strategic turning point for the brand on a business level. Owned by the Italian group OTB (led by Renzo Rosso) since 2008 - the entity initially acquired a 51% stake before rising to 70% in 2019 - Viktor & Rolf is now fully under the group's wing, which has just finalized the total acquisition of the label.
Purists can rest assured: this 100% buyout does not mean the departure of the founders. The Dutch duo remains firmly at the helm and has just extended their contract as creative directors for an additional five years. This continuity was enthusiastically praised by Renzo Rosso, founder and chairman of OTB: "Viktor and Rolf are among the most visionary and influential designers in contemporary fashion. Over the years, we have built an exceptional journey together, based on mutual respect, creative freedom, and a constant desire to explore the most innovative languages of contemporary haute couture."
By securing their financial future without losing an ounce of their creative freedom, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren prove that you can belong to a luxury giant while remaining free spirits. Ahead of the MAD exhibition, see you this Wednesday, July 8, for the Fall-Winter 2026-2027 Haute Couture show.
