Following a webinar on the influence of French luxury, the Comité Colbert is organizing the exhibition “Hidden Treasures: 250 Years of History Between America and French Luxury” in New York from May 26 to 31. For this occasion, 65 luxury houses will unveil a piece in honor of historic Franco-American relations.
A shared history. From May 26 to 31, the Comité Colbert, in partnership with the Villa Albertine, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch, JCDecaux, and the ISG Luxury Program, presents the exhibition “Hidden Treasures: 250 Years of History Between America and French Luxury” at The Shed cultural center in New York. Following a webinar on the influence of French craftsmanship, this event aims to delve deeper into Franco-American creative ties.
Thus, more than 65 Houses and institutions, including Chanel, Baccarat, Martell, and Cartier, will showcase treasures that illustrate the historic dialogue between the two countries. “The American archives of our houses, unveiled as part of the Hidden Treasures exhibition, do not tell the story of what France has brought to America, but rather what we have created together,” said Bénédicte Epinay, CEO of the Comité Colbert.
“Through shared craftsmanship, creativity, and imagination, this exhibition reveals the deep cultural dialogue that has united French luxury and the United States for over two centuries,” the executive continued.
Five chapters to discover the treasures
Throughout their visit, guests will be able to explore archival pieces and contemporary objects to understand the scope of French and American craftsmanship. They will encounter both the “Athena” evening gown from the Fall-Winter 1951 collection of the Christian Dior-New York line and a replica of a Martell Cordon Bleu bottle served aboard the Queen Mary in May 1936.
To discover them, visitors can explore the galleries, which are divided into five thematic chapters: “Founding Encounters,” focusing on the early exchanges between the two nations, “Crossing the Oceans,” focused on the movement of people; “The Rise of Icons,” which will explore the emergence of globally recognized brands; “Shaping Diplomacy,” which will offer a more political perspective; and “Creative Resonances,” which will look toward the future of creative exchanges between France and the United States.
The students involved
As a partner of the ISG Luxury Program, the specialized luxury management program at ISG Business School, the Comité Colbert also intends to make the students of this institution “pillars” of this event. Thus, students on a one-month university exchange at the Fordham University Lincoln Center campus have been selected to serve as guides for private tours of the exhibition.
“Every morning, the private tours will be led by French students from ISG’s Luxury Management program, who are in New York for their studies,” explained Bénédicte Epinay. “It is very significant that the future luxury managers are the ones passing on these stories today. Ultimately, they embody what luxury truly is: a legacy, a culture, and a human connection between generations,” she noted.
Love for French luxury remains strong
As a reminder, alongside the exhibition “Hidden Treasures: 250 Years of History Between America and French Luxury,” the presentation of a study conducted between August 2025 and January 2026 by the American consulting firm The Heart Monitors showed that French luxury remains as popular as ever across the Atlantic.
This study revealed a “deep emotional connection to France” among 600 American consumers aged 18 to 60 who had purchased French products, according to the Comité Colbert.
“France remains the country whose products are most considered ‘worth buying’ (61% favorable opinions), closely followed by Italy (57%),” stated the Comité Colbert, which noted that “these results suggest that economic pressure is leading more to marginal reconsideration than to outright rejection or a weakening of consumer desire.”
Read more > Comité Colbert : Franco-American relations have not yet had their final say
Featured photo : Bénédicte Epinay, Comité Colbert with ISG Luxury Program students © Studiohead
