I am thrilled to share the news about the highly anticipated exhibition, Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression, opening on Wednesday, July 3rd. I’ve always dreamed of visiting the Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, and now it’s right here in my own backyard at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, hosted in a striking modern building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne.
I was fortunate enough to preview the exhibit with Arnelle Johnson, the talented Engagement Guide at OCMA, who is incredibly knowledgeable about Laurent’s innovative work. This content is based on Arnelle Johnson’s insightful lecture.
Yves Saint Laurent was born in 1936 in Algeria. He left Algeria for Paris to work for the designer Christian Dior. Throughout his life, he struggled with finding his way and his place. In school, he was notoriously bullied and often told his mom he was sick to avoid going to school. At the age of 20, he became Christian Dior’s assistant. Dior’s fashion was considered the epitome of the ideal woman—soft, easy, yet respectable and elegant. After Dior’s death in 1957, Saint Laurent, at just 21, was chosen as the head designer of the haute couture fashion house. Unlike his predecessor, Laurent focused on what women wanted, thought, and needed. He was friends with many women and was in touch with young women aspiring to enter the business.
Yves Saint Laurent and His Revolutionary Style
In the ’60s and ’70s, Yves Saint Laurent created the women’s suit, a symbol of power that was revolutionary for its time. During the era of Women’s Lib and an increasing number of women entering the workforce, Laurent focused on the “modern woman”—his contemporaries in their early 20s. Unlike when he worked for Christian Dior and catered to the elegant lady, Laurent thought about his friends and what was important to them. For them, it was about power and asserting themselves in the business world. This new wave of womanhood included the image of a woman in a suit.
However, people with money at the time didn’t necessarily want this change. The young, hip girls desired it, but they didn’t have the financial means. Despite this, Saint Laurent continued to design with them in mind, shaping the future of fashion for the modern woman.
In this specific room, you will witness a variety of suits: suits with sashes, oversized tuxedo suits, the little black and white tuxedo dress, and suit jackets paired with pants. These designs showcase the breadth and innovation of Saint Laurent’s approach to women’s fashion.
Black on Black
In this section, you’ll encounter a black backdrop showcasing Yves Saint Laurent’s black gown collections. Why present his black collections on a black backdrop? The answer lies in drawing attention to the details. With a uniform background, the smallest nuances become more noticeable. Observe how the light reflects, how the shimmer impacts the fabric, and consider the texture of each garment. Notice that some blacks have a bluish tint, while others have a reddish tone. This display allows you to appreciate the subtle intricacies of Saint Laurent’s designs.
Color Explosion
In this section, you’ll witness the vibrant colors of Yves Saint Laurent’s collection. These colors are influenced by Laurent’s love of Morocco, a country he often visited. Although originally from Algeria, he fell in love with Morocco—the colors, the peace, the gardens, the tranquility, and the Mediterranean weather. Laurent frequently traveled between Morocco and France, and these experiences deeply inspired his work.
Yves Saint Laurent’s Sketches
The exhibit showcases Yves Saint Laurent’s original sketches created with graphite pencil on paper. Today, his sketches are esteemed for their inherent artistic prowess. Initially jotted down on scattered papers, Saint Laurent’s sketches are presented frame by frame, each dated accordingly.
Yves Saint Laurent: Line and Expression runs until October 27, 2024. His collections on exhibit are from 1962 to 2001.
This exhibition is curated by Olivier Saillard and Gaël Mamine and collaborated by the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech and Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. Click here for more info.
Speak Your Mind