A show devoted to the particularly Provençal
genius of Hélène Costa—the mother of Anne,
Agnès and Françoise Costa of the Grasse perfume
house Fragonard—who was a passionate collector
of regional clothing and jewelry dating back to the
late 18th century. Curated by the decorator
Jacqueline Morabito, this show is drawn from
Costa's private collection and pays homage to a
woman who had real roots in her native soil.
Raised in Vence in the 1930s, Costa was a
Provençale through and through, and was
particularly attached to the artisan work and
traditional know-how of her region. Local stitching
and embroidery techniques, as well as Provençal
fabrics, with their timeless sophistication, are the
heart of this show, which marks the 10-year
anniversary of the Musée. Time plays an important
part here, too, as many of the pieces were
patched, restitched, and handed down through
the years. A moving portrait and a fitting homage
to a woman who recently passed away, leaving
treasures behind.

June 20 through October 20, 2007
Hôtel Clapier-Cabris
2 Rue Jean Ossola
06130 Grasse
T. +33 (0)4 93 36 44 65