Yves Saint Laurent - Retrospective Exhibition (Paris, France)

You could say that this post is a retrospective of a retrospective, since this exhibition at the Petit Palais closed a month ago. But because I still think it's worth posting and I'm sure not everyone in the world has gone to this, I've decided to bombard you with a bunch of photos I managed to take during my visit a few months ago. As the first retrospective of YSL's work, the exhibition spanned 40 years of the designer's career, presenting over 300 haute couture models with a selection of pictures, drawings and films to accompany the pieces. There were 15 rooms in total, each with a different theme and though at times just seeing over 30 dresses at once was a little much to take in, the exhibition was still well laid out and easy to navigate.

I won't go into any details on how great a designer YSL was or the history of his career, since all of that can easily be read up elsewhere. Instead I'll let these pictures do the talking and hope that this collection will make it to other exhibitions around the world. Safe to say, most of his work remains timeless as ever and was breathtaking to see in person. Don't forget to check out more pictures after the jump, as the most spectacular room was the third-last one.

And if you need more YSL in your life, I'd highly recommend getting the official book to this exhibit, available via Amazon here.

The Dior Years

White tulle evening dress and pink faille evening dress from 1958 (left), black mink edged patent crocodile jacket, 1958.

Real Studio / Mental Studio

YSL's real studio consisted of sewing rooms and ateliers, while his imaginary room was occupied by artists, creative works and (non-)/ fictional characters. Remade work room and a snapshot of YSL in his actual studio (above). Black velvet dress with white silk flower, 1971 (lower left). Ivory crepe georgette dress, 1971 - donated by Jane Birkin (lower center/right).

The Gender Revolution

YSL was best known for giving women power, allowing them to express femininity with menswear inspired looks. These include the famous Le Smoking, 1967 (top left, lower right), pink woollen pantsuit, 1978 (top right) and boxy coats and jackets.

Navy coat, 1962 (center), nautical stripes, 1966 (top), 3/4 jersey trench coat, 1968 (lower left), silk blouse and the famous safari jacket, 1968 (lower right).

Plaid skirt suit, 1980 (top left), patterned jump suit, 1970 (lower left), skirt suit, 2001 (center), brown jacket and dress, 1968 (lower right).

Yves Saint Laurent and Women

YSL spoke to all women, but had a set of close friends and clients who were loyal to him. Gilded evening dress for Helene Marie de Rothschild, 1967 (top left), evening dress with feathers for Jacqueline comtesse de Ribes 1981 (lower left), evening dress for Helene Rochas, 1974 (left center), black lace dress for Patricia Lopez-Willshaw, 1962 (center right), cocktail dress for Grace Kelly, 1964 (top right) and multicolored outfit for the Duchess of Windsor, 1969 (lower right).

Catherine Deneuve, Respect and Admiration at First Sight

YSL and Catherine Deneuve shared a close working relationship and friendship, starting when YSL first dressed her in 1967. Above a few items from her collection. Satin dress 1997 (center) and a few of YSL's sketches featuring designs for Deneuve (right).

Summer 1971, the Scandal of the Collection 40

YSL's 1971 collection, inspired by the 40s, was denounced by the critics and press, but proved to be a commercial success. Red day outfit (left), black evening dress (lower center), green fox evening coat (center), embroidered silk coat (top right), black sheer dress with ostrich feathers (lower right).

Imaginary Journeys

YSL disliked traveling but drew inspiration from faraway places via his imagination. Above, looks inspired by China, Japan, Spain and Russia.

Looks inspired by Morocco, India and a collection based on leathers, feathers and fur.

Through the Looking-Glass of Art

YSL often based pieces and collections on art or what he calls 'dialogues' with art. This impressive selection was inspired by African art.

Tributes to Tom Wesselman & Henri Matisse. Veiled evening dresses with copper sculptures from Claude Lalanne (center right, top right).

Tributes to Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and the famous Piet Mondrian dress.

Warhol's YSL portrait, which was removed from last year's Paris Warhol exhibit. White knitted wool evening dress, 1965.

The Last Ball

The most spectacular room of all showcased some of the finest evening dresses which demonstrated YSL's nostalgia for bygone days when grandiose luxury dominated. Examples include the velvet dress with pink bow, 1983 (bottom image: Lacasapark)

The Smoking

YSL's famed tuxedo came in all shapes and sizes, such as the classic dinner suit, 1966 - or the tuxedo dress, 1992.

The Collision of Colors

Muslin evening dresses in various colors, which were surrounded by swatches of fabric in various shades. All dresses created for the final show in 2002.