The Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech will highlight a unique facet of the work of the great couturier through the exhibition “The Hamish Bowles Collection”, organized in collaboration with the famous collector and fashion historian, Hamish Bowles, according to a press release from the organizers. This initiative offers a unique perspective on Yves Saint Laurent’s creations by exploring the critical and passionate eye of a private collector.
The 55 pieces on display, which come directly from Hamish Bowles’ personal wardrobe and not from institutional archives, bear witness to the designer’s timeless legacy. A graduate of Central Saint Martins and a key figure in fashion, Bowles is recognized for his in-depth understanding of the history of clothing and its manufacturing techniques, underlines the press release.
The exhibition, designed by Patrick Kinmonth, highlights three significant periods in Yves Saint Laurent’s creative career: his beginnings at Christian Dior (1958-1960), the heyday of the Maison Yves Saint Laurent (1961-2002), and the revolutionary Saint Laurent Rive Gauche line. An immersive and richly documented vision that reveals the multiple facets of Yves Saint Laurent’s creative genius.
Among the key pieces presented, the public will discover iconic models such as an autumn-winter 1957 cocktail dress from the Dior era or a blue Rive Gauche jumpsuit worn by Betty Catroux. These creations, accompanied by original sketches, workshop sheets and illustrations from the museum’s collections, illustrate the constant dialogue between the life and work of the couturier.
According to the organizers, this exhibition also celebrates the influence of Marrakech in the creative universe of Saint Laurent. A patchwork ensemble from 1969 evokes its inspiration drawn from the colors and textures of the ocher city. The outfits worn by personalities such as Nan Kempner or Lily Safra mingle with those of anonymous women, testifying to the universality and timelessness of her creations.
In addition, the exhibition is accompanied by a making-of produced by David Boatman and a bilingual catalog (French and English), offering in-depth insight into the pieces exhibited and their historical context.
This exceptional retrospective will be a rare opportunity to delve into the world of Yves Saint Laurent, while rediscovering his lasting influence on contemporary fashion through the eyes of an enlightened enthusiast like Hamish Bowles.
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