News Digest

Yves Saint Laurent snubs London for exhibition in stylish… Durham?

Britain’s first exhibition dedicated to the legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent will be hosted at Bowes Museum in County Durham. “Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal”, which runs from July 11 to October 25, will include 50 outfits, including iconic pieces such as the Mondrian dresses and the tuxedo, which Saint Laurent pioneered as a garment for women. Pierre Berge, president of the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent, which is putting on the exhibition, said the French-style chateau in northeastern England was “the perfect setting for us”.

The museum and its location … clearly reflects Yves Saint Laurent’s and my own passion for inspiring, timeless places.

Pierre Berge, president of the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent

Considered one of the high priests of fashion, Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008 at the age of 71. The designer is credited with creating such classics as the pea jacket and trench-coat in 1962, the first tuxedo in 1966, the safari jacket in 1967 and the jumpsuit in 1968. The Bowes Museum’s fashion and textile gallery has previously hosted exhibits by Vivienne Westwood, Henry Poole and Laura Ashley.