© Pierre Boulat.
The most glamorous exhibition of the season is here! Following its debut earlier this year at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, the Paris venue presents the stunning "Fleurs" exhibition starting September 20. Showcasing around thirty garments and sketches, it unveils the colorful, floral world of the designer in a unique collaboration between France and Morocco. An absolute must-see!
The power of flowers
Yves Saint Laurent placed flowers at the heart of his creations. While still an apprentice under Christian Dior, high society sought him out to design outfits for a grand ball. The theme? Flowers! He was only 21 at the time. From that moment, the delicacy and fleeting beauty of flowers became central to his work, featuring in his early runway shows from the 1960s onward. Fun fact: the initials "YSL" form the anagram "lys," a lily in French—Saint Laurent’s favorite flower, a lucky charm, and a source of inspiration.
Enchanted garden
Imagine stepping into the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and being surrounded by a massive floral bouquet of sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and lush greenery—a true indoor garden. You wander through rooms adorned in white and gold, reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles.
With skirts shaped like corollas, and waists and collars resembling petals, women dressed by Saint Laurent were transformed into flowers. The result? Stunning runway shows evoking an Alice in Wonderland-like atmosphere. Highlights include the iconic wedding dress worn by Laetitia Casta in the Spring-Summer 1999 show and the evening gown on Inga Savits for the Spring-Summer 1996 show, where models appeared as real nymphs draped in roses.
A final marvel awaits: the basement gallery, where screens and audiophones immerse you in the designer's runway shows, complete with music and applause. One last highlight? Yves Saint Laurent's studio. With tables covered in sketches, fabric swatches, and haute couture books, it feels as though you’ve stepped into the designer’s workshop, frozen in time.
Fleurs Exhibition at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum,exhibition runs from September 20, 2024, to May 4, 2025. Online reservations available.
© Musée Yves Saint Laurent (@museeyslparis) by Pierre Boulat.
Also, discover the must-see exhibitions in Paris this fall, including the best (and free!) gallery shows.
