Famous fashion designer unveils liturgical vestments for Notre-Dame reopening

A collection of 2,000 pieces — stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics — for the 170 bishops, 700 priests, and 700 permanent deacons is expected to be made for the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. These vestments will also be used in major diocesan celebrations such as the Chrism and ordination Masses.

For this extensive commission, funded by art and craft houses, the archdiocese turned to Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who previously designed the vestments for the 1997 World Youth Day in Paris. The designer is also well-known for his collaboration with pop stars, such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé or Katy Perry. 

Castelbajac drew inspiration from the choir cross of Notre Dame, created by Marc Couturier, which stood resilient after the 2019 fire. “I had never used gold in my work before,” he explained. “For these vestments, I wanted to bring the cross to the forefront as a beacon, a landmark, a standard.”

The golden cross features prominently on chasubles, bishops’ miters, and stoles. The vibrant colors symbolize “the rebirth of Notre Dame.” Castelbajac aims to send a strong message to believers and youth seeking symbols, creating an image that inspires admiration.

“A bit of spiritual epic”

The chasubles for bishops will include 12 colorful crosses representing the Apostles. Castelbajac, thinking of his four-year-old daughter and 16-year-old grandson, wants to use contemporary imagery to engage younger generations in spirituality. He also wanted to add “a bit of spiritual epic” — “We must speak of courage to the younger generations.”

Castelbajac, who witnessed the Notre Dame fire in April 2019, calls it “one of the saddest and most overwhelming moments of my life.” Being asked to design these vestments is “a great honor.” Inspired by Saint Louis’s tunic in Notre Dame’s treasure at age 17, Castelbajac’s life was changed by the 1997 World Youth Day, leading him to merge his talent with his faith and popular movements.

For this new commission, Castelbajac practiced self-discipline, aiming for “sobriety” and “elegance” without breaking too much from tradition. Talks are underway with several French workshops for production.

“The creation of these vestments aligns with that of liturgical furniture, all contributing to beauty through creation,” said Monsignor Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of Notre Dame. “It’s about manifesting joy and hope for the cathedral’s reopening.”

After the initial period extending to Pentecost 2025, each parish in Paris will receive a chasuble.

Paris Archdiocese had earlier announced plans for a prolonged celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic church in the French capital that was nearly destroyed by a blaze in 2019. Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris released a new pastoral letter in February called “The year 2024 in the Archdiocese of Paris,” with a precise schedule of ceremonies surrounding the cathedral’s planned official inauguration and reopening on December 7. The special events will begin on December 8 and run until June 8, 2025, the Solemnity of Pentecost.