Located in the heart of Arles, the Mus&eacute;e de la Mode et du Costume opens its doors on July 6.

Travelling to Provence this summer? Your itinerary calls for a stop in Arles. On July 6, the renowned French perfumery Fragonard will open the much-anticipated Mus&eacute;e de la Mode et du Costume (Museum of Fashion and Costume) in the heart of the historic city. And behind the beautiful 18th-century facade of the H&ocirc;tel Bouchaud de Bussy, there are 10,000 pieces celebrating the evolution of Proven&ccedil;al fashion, costumes, and textiles just waiting to be discovered.&nbsp;
Maison Fragonard directors<text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.420013427734375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="184.12188720703125" x="993.3298950195312" y="-273.5" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;Anne, Agn&egrave;s, and </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230010986328125" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="183.89910888671875" x="993.5698852539062" y="-261.5" data-test="textbox">Fran&ccedil;oise Costa teamed up with lifelong collectors of Arlesian fashion and textiles, Magali and Odile Pascal, to open the new museum. With a storied history in Grasse, Fragonard has a deep connection to the culture of Provence; the Costa siblings' mother, H&eacute;l&egrave;ne, opened the Mus&eacute;e Proven&ccedil;al du Costume et du Bijou in 1997. This new museum marks the perfumery's next step in maintaining the region's cultural artifacts. Serving as a comprehensive overview of Arlesian fashion dating back to the 17th century, the Costas will showcase never-before-seen pieces from their family vault, as well as unique items collected by the late Magali Pascal.&nbsp;</text>

Photo courtesy of Fragonard

While the collection is sure to impress, the building itself is freshly reopening after a five-year transformation by Studio KO, the team behind the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech. Architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty worked to maintain the 17th and 18th-century heritage of the H&ocirc;tel Bouchaud de Bussy while infusing the modern, minimalist designs Studio KO is known for. Behind the landmark facade of the three-story building, the duo designed a contemporary staircase, marrying the popular Studio KO aesthetic with the historic building. Fournier and Marty added <text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230003356933594" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="181.81103515625" x="993.119873046875" y="-81.5" data-test="textbox">subtle Provence-inspired design elements</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.230003356933594" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="181.3419189453125" x="993.619873046875" y="-69.5" data-test="textbox"> throughout, from a gilded brass door and</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.30999755859375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="183.81304931640625" x="993.6798706054688" y="-57.5" data-test="textbox"> shiny floors reminiscent of Marseille&rsquo;s </text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.229999542236328" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="181.449951171875" x="993.4798583984375" y="-45.5" data-test="textbox">traditional tiles, to walls that evoke the canvas sails</text><text class="_textbox_x434h_15" direction="ltr" height="7.229999542236328" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="107.14801025390625" x="993.6598510742188" y="-33.5" data-test="textbox">&nbsp;of boats on the Rh&ocirc;ne.</text>

Photo by Noel Manalili. Courtesy of Fragonard.

The end result of the transformation is a museum that maintains the integrity of the original building, purchased in 1723, while adding the highly sought-after vision of the team at Studio KO. The opportunity to enjoy the play between history and modern luxury makes the Mus&eacute;e de la Mode et du Costume a truly special stop in Provence.&nbsp;

Designed by Studio KO, Fragonard's New Museum is a Love Letter to Provençal Fashion

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