In preparation for the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris, celebrated French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has been commissioned by the Diocese of Paris to create a new collection of liturgical vestments. Scheduled to debut at the reopening ceremony on December 8th, the vestments will include around 2,000 pieces—stoles, chasubles, and dalmatics—to be worn by hundreds of bishops, priests, and deacons. Castelbajac, known for his vibrant designs and pop-culture collaborations, drew inspiration from Marc Couturier’s cross in Notre-Dame’s choir, which survived the 2019 fire.
This new collection features a striking use of gold, a first for Castelbajac, with the golden cross displayed prominently on each garment, symbolizing a beacon of hope. He combined this with his signature palette of red, yellow, blue, and green to convey a sense of the cathedral’s rebirth. Reflecting on this project, Castelbajac described it as a “spiritual epic” aimed at inspiring courage in younger generations, aligning traditional religious symbols with a modern sensibility.
Each bishop’s chasuble will also feature 12 smaller crosses, representing the Apostles, enhancing the collection’s historical and spiritual resonance. Funding for the project was provided by art and craft houses, highlighting a collaborative spirit in restoring Notre-Dame’s cultural and religious identity. Following the reopening ceremony, each parish in Paris will receive one of these specially crafted chasubles as a reminder of the cathedral’s renewal.
