Preserving the spirit of Yves Saint Laurent
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS: A new museum showcasing the creations of late French couturier Yves Saint Laurent opens in Paris next week, offering visitors a glimpse into his studio and how he pulled together his collections.
Housed in the elegant building that was the seat of Saint Laurent’s eponymous label for 28 years, the museum includes displays of some of his most striking bejewelled dresses and the designs that defined his style.
It recreates the workspace where Saint Laurent worked at his collections, an atelier filled with sketches, fabrics and drawers full of beads and lace and including his original desk, complete with pincushion.
‘‘This is more than a fashion museum; we’re opening up the house of an artist,’’ museum director Olivier Flaviano said.
‘‘You can find the spirit of Saint Laurent in the clothes, but also in the surroundings.’’
The building includes fitting room where clients came to be measured.
The museum had its official inauguration on Thursday and will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, weeks after the death of Pierre Berge, Saint Laurent’s one time partner and business associate.
Berge, a patron of the arts and wellknown campaigner for gay rights, helped bring the label to prominence and was behind the project to launch the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
Another museum dedicated to the designer is due to open on October 19 in Marrakech, Morroco. Saint Laurent often travelled there.
The designer was considered one of the 20th century’s most influential. He popularised tuxedostyle suits for women, known as ‘‘Le Smoking’’. He retired in 2002 and died six years later. — Reuters