From Paris to New York, the legacy of Art Deco lives on.
In 2025, we celebrate the centenary of one of the most iconic exhibition events of the 20th century: the Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, which opened in Paris in 1925. This event defined a new international aesthetic — known at the time as the "1925 Style" and later as Art Deco. It marked the beginning of a glamorous era that redefined the very idea of modernity.
Between 1920 and 1930, European society experienced a period of overwhelming joy and creative energy. Artistic avant-gardes blended with new expressions of splendor and glamour. Cities like Paris, Brussels, London, Milan, Munich, Vienna, Prague, New York and Berlin became the stages for a dazzling elegance — a mix of modern renewal and a deep desire to overcome the shadows of World War I.
Upper-class homes and palaces became showcases of beauty and lifestyle, filled with objects of refined craftsmanship, displayed as symbols of luxury. Art Deco also shaped the design of public spaces , from train stations and theaters to cinemas and government buildings. A stylistic movement with immediately recognizable features, Art Deco influenced nearly every aspect of the decorative and industrial arts — from furniture and fashion to advertising, sculpture, automotive design, and cinema.
Here are six must-see Art Deco exhibits in 2025:
“Echoes of Art Deco” | Boghossian Foundation (also known as Villa Empain) in Brussels until May 25. This exhibition is hosted in one of Brussels’ architectural gems — Villa Empain — a quintessential Art Deco building. A perfect setting to explore the movement’s elegance and reach.
“Tamara de Lempicka” | Museum of Fine Arts, Houston until May 26. The first major U.S. retrospective of Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka (1894–1980). Her bold, sleek portraits capture the dynamism of the Art Deco era, making her one of its most iconic figures.
“Ruhlmann, Decorator“ | Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France until June 1. A deep dive into the work of Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, a master of French interior design. His creations — from furniture and lighting to ceramics and textiles — exemplify Art Deco’s eclectic sophistication.
“Deco at 100” | Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, New York until June 15. This exhibition features works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Elie Nadelman, Fernand Léger, Gaston Lachaise, Reginald Marsh, and Guy Pène du Bois. It also includes photographs, fashion, decorative arts, and vintage posters — a rich overview of the era’s aesthetics.
“Art Déco. Il trionfo della modernità“ | Palazzo Reale, Milan until June 29. One of Italy’s most interesting exhibitions of the year, showcasing how Art Deco manifested across architecture, fashion, design, and visual arts in early 20th-century Italy.
“Paul Poiret: Fashion is a Feast” | Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, France until January 2026. Dedicated to Paul Poiret, the visionary French couturier who helped define Art Deco fashion. His bold silhouettes and lavish fabrics embody the elegance and experimentation of the era.