Starting September 30, 2026, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie will honor one of the most important photographers of the 20th century with “Penn & Fashion,” a major exhibition dedicated to the work ofIrving Penn. For nearly seventy years, the American photographer shaped the image of fashion with his striking portraits and his eye for silhouettes, textures, and light. This highly anticipated Parisian retrospective offers visitors the chance to rediscover his work across several decades of creativity.
Irving Penn, one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 20th century
With “Penn & Fashion,” the MEP offers a journey through the fascinating relationship between Irving Penn and the world of fashion. From his early images for *Vogue* in the 1940s to his collaborations with the greatest designers at the end of the 20th century, the exhibition traces the evolution of his aesthetic.
The exhibition spans from 1947 to 2008 and covers several generations of fashion. In the 1950s, Irving Penn photographed the golden age of Parisian haute couture, notably featuring the designs of Christian Dior and Cristóbal Balenciaga, worn by iconic models such as Lisa Fonssagrives, his wife, and Jean Patchett.
The exhibition shows how his style evolved alongside the transformations in fashion. The 1970s saw the emergence of designsby Emanuel Ungaro andAndré Courrèges, while Marisa Berenson and Lauren Hutton in turn became the faces of his photographs. In the 1980s, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld came into his lens. His style evolved alongside the sculptural designs of the Japanese designer Issey Miyake, and the journey continued through his collaborations with John Galliano and Christian Lacroix.
From legendary models to leading designers
“Penn & Fashion” also offers a deep dive into several decades of fashion history. The exhibition brings together the faces, clothing, and signatures that defined the second half of the 20th century.
It features models who have become iconic, as well as creations from major fashion houses and designers: Dior, Balenciaga, Courrèges, Ungaro, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Issey Miyake, John Galliano, and Christian Lacroix.
Irving Penn at the MEP: the must-see fashion photography exhibition in Paris
With “Penn & Fashion,” the MEP offers much more than a simple retrospective of a fashion photographer. The exhibition chronicles several decades of creativity, from *Vogue* to the major fashion houses, and shows how Irving Penn established an aesthetic that is instantly recognizable.
Practical Information
📅 September 30, 2026–January 17, 2027
📍 Maison Européenne de la Photographie, 5/7 rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris
🕒 Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursdays until 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
🎟️ €13 full price, €8 reduced price, free for children under 12
🚇 Saint-Paul (Line 1)