“I prefer to shock rather than to bore.” – Yves Saint Laurent
If you happen to be in Paris in the next ten days, the ‘Yves Saint Laurent: La Collection du Scandale’ is showcasing the infamous 1971 spring couture line ‘Liberation’. Curated by Oliver Saillard, the director of the fashion museum at Palais Galliera, the show features 40 outfits from Saint Laurent’s collection.
The collection was unpopular with buyers, journalists and fashion editors. They believed the collection came too soon after the end of the war; memories of the traumatic time were still embedded in their minds.
Yves Saint Laurent responded to the criticism saying he was only paying homage to the freedom of the women who lived through it.
After being forced to sit out of next season’s runway show, he disappeared from the public eye and media attention in order to resume designing and showcasing his garments after the negative attention had faded. Saint Laurent went on to create high-luxury couture creations such as his iconic tuxedo tux – one of the must-have pieces for fashion lovers worldwide.
As well as his forties inspired garments the exhibition also features many of his personal sketches, fabric swatches and accessories, giving the visitors the feeling they are stepping into his creative process. Film footage of the show and magazine articles reporting its events and reception will also be on display.
Oliver Saillard, the curator, has commented how this collection marked ‘the beginning of contemporary fashion history.’
Saint Laurent is considered the first designer to capture the street style that would mark the rest of the decade.
“Yves Saint Laurent: La Collection du Scandale”
19th March 2015 – 19th July 2015
Palais Galliera
10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie,
Paris, 75116
images fondation pierre bergé – yves saint laurent
