Cabaret costume: behind the scenes of the Moulin Rouge wardrobe
It is impossible to evoke the world of the Moulin Rouge without mentioning the costumes worn by the dancers who perform there every night. For the revue Féerie—the show currently on stage—more than 1,000 costumes and accessories have been custom-made, entirely by hand.
In the world of cabaret, the level of technique and creativity required calls for true craftsmanship. From costumes to shoes, and through every accessory—jewellery, feathers, gloves, hats—each detail is carefully designed. The goal is to create pieces that shine on stage while remaining durable enough to keep up with the performers’ intense rhythm, night after night.
Meet the men and women behind these creations in the Moulin Rouge workshops, where every costume, every accessory, every shade of black or red tells a story—and where the spirit of celebration takes shape in every stitch.
In the world of cabaret, what does a French Cancan costume look like?
The French Cancan is known for the boundless energy of its dancers, who perform each step with rhythmic precision, captivating the audience from the very first beat. This iconic highlight of the Moulin Rouge show is one of the most anticipated moments, carried by lively music and the vibrant energy of the performers of the Moulin Rouge.
But the magic of the French Cancan also lies in its emblematic costumes, designed to move and swirl with every high kick. The traditional outfit, in blue, white, and red, is made up of several pieces: a petticoat, bloomers, and a fitted corset. Stockings, a garter, and ankle boots complete the look—along with the feathered headpiece, the true signature of this colourful, celebratory costume.
Who makes the costumes for the Moulin Rouge?
All Moulin Rouge costumes are made on site, in the Moulin Rouge design studio. Heading up the team of passionate costume designers, Mine Vergès, who has been working in Paris since the 1960s, dreams up and designs these spectacular outfits for the stage. Attention to detail is vital, as each piece requires between 10 and 280 hours of work.
The couturiers meticulously assemble fabrics to produce unique, standout creations. Each Moulin Rouge costume is a true masterpiece of haute couture.
More than thirty people work on the creation and maintenance of the costumes. Backstage, around twenty dressers help the 60 artists with costume changes every evening—there are almost 12 changes per performance!
What are the most iconic parts of the dancers’ costumes?
Moulin Rouge costumes are renowned for their feathers and headdresses. And these iconic, often exhilarating pieces are much more than a mere accessory. They are an integral part of cabaret costumes and epitomise French glamour on the international stage. Miss Maëva Coucke represented France at the Miss Universe contest wearing a magnificent Moulin Rouge costume made entirely of Swarovski crystals and feathers.
And to complete the cabaret look: jewellery
The Moulin Rouge relies on its skilled artisans in its couture workshops to create stunning jewellery sets. They use Swarovski crystals in particular, designing unique, exquisite pieces that are entirely handmade.
The Moulin Rouge online boutique also offers a wide range of jewellery inspired by its most iconic collections. A perfect opportunity to treat yourself to true designer pieces and bring a touch of cabaret elegance into everyday life.
Who are these exceptionally talented creators?
Behind every costume, accessory, and piece of jewellery are designers and artisans dedicated to enhancing the performers who take to the Moulin Rouge stage each night.
The feathermaker
Among the creators working backstage at the Moulin Rouge are the feathermakers. Feather-making is a rare profession in France, requiring finely honed skills and time-honoured craftsmanship. Feathermakers transform and work with natural feathers by hand to create accessories and costume items.
The feathermakers at Maison Février work in close collaboration with the Moulin Rouge costume designers. The fabulous feather creations are made by them and adorn the stars of the stage.
The embroiderer
The Moulin Rouge costume designers also work with the Atelier Valentin teams. Founded in 2003, the embroidery team creates embossed designs and adds the finishing touches to the gorgeous Moulin Rouge costumes. Once again, each embroidered piece is unique.
These highly skilled creators use different types of thread, from the simplest such as cotton to the most luxurious like silk, and sometimes even gold and silver threads. Beads, feathers, sequins and rhinestones can also be embroidered on all kinds of fabrics.
The bootmaker
Did you know that 800 pairs of shoes were handmade for the Féerie Revue show in the workshops of Maison Clairvoy? The artisan bootmakers design and create the boots and pumps worn by the Moulin Rouge performers.
Cabaret dancers’ shoes are first and foremost tools of their trade. They must be both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable so that each dancer can perform acrobatic feats unconstrained. This means each pair is made-to-measure, in order to fit the performers’ feet perfectly.
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