MAN RAY AND FASHION From 23 September to 17 January 2021 – Musée du Luxembourg Sénat
The exhibition “Man Ray and Fashion”, held at the prestigious Musée du Luxembourg, offers a fascinating exploration of the relationship between art, photography, and haute couture. Originally scheduled for a shorter run, the exhibition was extended until 17 January 2021, giving visitors additional time to discover the work of one of the twentieth century’s most innovative artists and photographers.
Born as Emmanuel Radnitzky, Man Ray was a leading figure of the Dada and Surrealist movements. Although widely celebrated for his experimental artistic practice, he also played a major role in transforming fashion photography. During the 1920s and 1930s, while living in Paris, Man Ray collaborated with some of the most influential fashion designers, magazines, and cultural figures of his time. His photographs appeared regularly in renowned publications, helping to redefine the visual language of fashion.
The exhibition highlights how Man Ray blurred the boundaries between commercial photography and fine art. Through a remarkable collection of photographs, prints, magazines, and archival documents, visitors can trace the evolution of his distinctive style. His use of unusual lighting, solarisation, photograms, and unexpected compositions brought a sense of mystery and creativity to fashion imagery, elevating it far beyond simple commercial promotion.
A key feature of the exhibition is its presentation of Man Ray’s collaborations with iconic designers and models. His photographs captured not only garments and accessories but also the spirit of modernity, elegance, and experimentation that characterised Paris between the two World Wars. The exhibition demonstrates how fashion became an important source of inspiration for the artist while simultaneously benefiting from his avant-garde vision.
For students interested in art, photography, design, and fashion history, this exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to understand the connections between creative disciplines. It reveals how Man Ray’s innovative techniques influenced generations of photographers and helped establish fashion photography as a respected artistic medium.
We are hoping to organise a visit for PAA students to this exceptional exhibition. Such a visit would offer valuable insight into the work of a pioneering artist whose influence continues to shape contemporary photography, fashion, and visual culture today.
Faculty: Fashion Design & Merchandising, Fine Arts
