August 10, 2008
A Peek Inside the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective
Tribute is paid to legendary designer Yves Saint Laurent (August 1, 1936–June 1, 2008) in the retrospective book Yves Saint Laurent: Style (Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2008). The book fêtes the designer’s life and career, which includes such groundbreaking designs as the trapeze dress, the pantsuit, and “Le Smoking” tuxedo.
Renowned for his eponymous label’s timeless elegance, Saint Laurent famously said, ”It’s style. I do not change, I become deeper. The cut changes. Fashion passes, style remains.” That philosophy remained constant over the course of his long career, as did his dedication to celebrating liberated women and their personal power.
Packed with his quotes about his work, his illustrations, and photographs of finished pieces, Style displays roughly 150 of his designs spanning four decades; about a third have never been shown before.
The book begins with an overview of his life, from his early work for Christian Dior, to the launch of his own label in 1962, to his retirement in 2002.
Following the biography are themed sections that comprise the bulk of the retrospective, each based on the designer’s sources of inspiration. He had many influences over the years, including artists (Mondrian, Picasso, and Renoir), literary figures (Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, and Madame Bovary), and international styles (Morocco, China, and Russia).
Finally, a biographical timeline is presented, accented with personal photos, magazine covers, and runway candids.
Style is authored by Hamish Bowles, fashion journalist and a European correspondent for Vogue; and Florence Müller, historian and professor at the Institut Français de la Mode.
Image courtesy Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
