This is the most glamorous intellectual event of the moment. Instagram is buzzing with excitement since the announcement of the opening of Saint Laurent Babylone bookstore on the Left Bank. No it-bags or leather jackets here; the idea is to find the essence of Saint Laurent beyond clothing. In an elegant yet brutalist setting (white stone walls, large marble displays), Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello has elevated the cool factor by offering rare books (fashion, theater, music, fine arts, dance...), vinyl records (listen on the spot!), and collector or brand-new magazines (Purple, Self Service, and nearly impossible-to-find editions).
A true meeting point between the sophisticated passions of the Belgian designer and Yves Saint Laurent, the bookstore also features regular photo exhibitions by contemporary artists. Must-haves for all budgets include the cult reissue of Madonna's "Sex" book presented at Art Basel Miami Beach (€2,200), a beautiful book about muse Betty Catroux (€110), and a Saint Laurent-branded chocolate tablet designed with François Daubinet.
Bonus : All purchases come in a specially designed white Saint Laurent Babylone tote bag. Too chic.
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 12 pm.
