YSL - RETROSPECTIVE

Currently showing at Petit Palais in Paris, "Yves Saint Laurent - retrospective", that I really would like to see. The Exhibition contains of 300 Haute couture and "Ready-to-wear" models and shows the evolution of all his collections over the years.

Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) was one of my great role models and inspiration, when my interest in fashion and design began around 1980.

A whole new world opened up to me. Partly because it was a male designer and because of his design and unexpected color combinations. But also because Didder Rønlund, who wrote for BT at the time, did it so well.

Yves Saint Laurent was admitted at the "Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture"- School in 1954.
The first time he was mentioned, he won the 1st prize in the International wool Secretariat's Design Competition in 1954 with a cocktail dress. Karl Lagerfeld became second with a coat. After that, he got employed by Dior, where he takes over when Christian dior dies in 1957.

He meets Pierre Bergé at Dior's funeral. But, in the meantime, he gets drafted for the military, where he has a nervous breakdown and is being hospitalized. The fashion house Dior instead employs Marc Bohan in 1960.

In 1961, with the help of his life-long partner Pierre Bergé, he founded his fashion house, which is getting a flying start when the first collection is launched January 1962.
He became especially known for the Smoking and Safari jacket for women and was very inspired by different artists. He was also the first designer to launch "Pret á porter" / Ready-to-wear collections.

Yves Saint Laurent decides to retire on January 7, 2002 after 40 years, because his health is declining after a constant abuse and the pressure to constantly perform and renew. He dies on June 1, 2008, 71 years old.

Yves Saint Laurent was in many ways innovative and made a lasting impact on the 19th century fashion world.

The exhibition will be on display until 29 august.