Yves Saint Laurent: Form and Fashion

Yves Saint Laurent and his fashion creations were resolutely modern. Throughout more than forty years in couture, his ongoing exploration of shape and form continually pushed the boundaries of his creativity, and lead to his most groundbreaking and iconic designs. Radically innovative, his monochromatic jumpsuits demonstrated modernity through the purity of form and color, highlighting the verticality of the wearer. With his trapeze line for Dior, he became an architect of clothing. He drew inspiration from art, calling upon constructivism in his geometric compositions such as the Mondrian dress. He had a directors flair for spectacle; his exquisite bubble dresses and capes showcased his talent for cut and form. With an eye for graphic design, and a nod to Op Art, he paired black and white to play with the viewers perceptions of shape. This volume, which accompanies an exhibition at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris (June 8, 2023January 2024), also reveals the contrasting interplay between the designers personality and his creations. His collections juxtapose form in fashion—from dresses, suits, and coats to perfume and accessories, including handbags, shoes, jewelry, hats, gloves, and scarves. In the book and exhibition, key pieces from the Yves Saint Laurent archives are shown in dialogue with the set design and works by ceramic artist Claudia Wieser.