Jean-Charles de Castelbajac will present a gigantic retrospective in Toulouse

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac will present a gigantic retrospective in Toulouse, titled 'L'Imagination au pouvoir' or 'Imagination at Work', which will be presented at the Les Abattoirs Museum in the French city.

This important compilation of fashion, accessories, design, collages and works of art by one of France's great iconoclastic creators will be presented in Toulouse from December 12 to August 23, 2026.

The exhibition brings together nearly 300 works, including clothing, design objects, drawings and photographs, covering six decades of creation by a visionary artist who was a pioneer in breaking the barriers between art, fashion and popular culture.

L'Imagination au pouvoir offers an immersive journey, punctuated by an original composition by Vladimir Cauchemar, and highlights the artist's iconic collaborations, from Keith Haring to Robert Mapplethorpe, Lady Gaga and Malcolm McLaren, as well as Castelbajac's recent works created for Notre-Dame de Paris.

“Starting in 1980, I began using the primary colors red, blue and yellow, the banners of pop culture, as well as logos, cartoons and mottos, as a contemporary response to my passion for heraldry and medieval history. This limited color palette became my signature, a stylistic imprint, a link between all my creative experiences, from my pop weaving work, the beginnings of streetwear, to sacred art at World Youth Day. 1997 and the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris in 2024,” Jean-Charles, 75, said in a statement, referring to the official vestments he created for clergy for the reopening of the legendary cathedral. Examples of which appear in the retrospective.

Among the iconic images in the exhibition are his famous teddy bear coats from 1988, one of which was worn by Madonna; and the sequin-clad graphic from 1985 that read “Je suis toute nue en dessous,” in English: “I am completely naked underneath.”

It also features Oliviero Toscani's portraits of Andy Warhol and Vivienne Westwood wearing Castelbajac creations. To historical objects, from his multicolored rainbow loafers for Weston to his Totem lamps, collector's items.

More power to your imagination.