The Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent: The Poetic Exhibition
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Today, I invite you to 5 Avenue Marceau to discover the exhibition Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent. This new dive into the world of the designer highlights his floral inspirations. Between sketches and key pieces from his collections, we travel back in time to see how his reflections blossomed around delicate creations inspired by gardens from around the world and the prose of Marcel Proust. A work full of poetry, reflecting landscapes dear to him, such as those of his Majorelle villa, but also paying homage to his mentor, Christian Dior.
The Emergence of an Artist, from First Sketches to Runways
From his first sketches inspired by bougainvilleas to his iconic wedding dress, worn in 1999 by Laetitia Casta, Yves Saint Laurent made flowers a signature element. A treasure of nature that has continuously inspired him over the years, shaping his fabrics and silhouettes. The exhibition Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent thus offers us a journey through time to rediscover how flowers guided his creation throughout his career.
With the genesis being the Ball of Heads, for which he created numerous sketches of floral headdresses and outfits, the exhibition reveals the designer’s in-depth reflection on flowers. A vision that would later find its way into his own creations and even into the decor of his runway shows. Through patterns, cuts, and textures, floral details appear in the form of prints, beads, embroidery, and metals, adorning silhouettes both born from his imagination and echoing those developed by his master, Christian Dior.
Additionally, the exhibition also highlights various documents, emphasizing the emergence of a piece. From the initial drawings to the Bible leaves and handling sheets, as well as photographs and magazine covers, once the piece is finished, we rediscover the creative process of the designer and his teams.
A Meeting Between Artists
The exhibition Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent underscores the importance of other artists on the designer’s work. Photographers, decorator artists, and authors have thus inspired the creator in the development of his floral pieces. Among them, Marcel Proust saw the poetry of his texts give rise to delicate embroideries and drapes, in memory of Madame Swann’s outfits. The quotes borrowed from In Search of Lost Time thus serve as a common thread in the exhibition and add an additional aura to the exhibited dresses.
This spirit of dialogue between artists also includes the work of Sam Falls. This American artist stands out with a unique vision of nature, which he expresses on canvases made from flower pigments gathered from around the world.
Thus, fashion, nature, and literature merge in the exhibition Flowers of Yves Saint Laurent. Open until May 4, 2025, the installation allows you to rediscover a part of the designer’s career while entering a fascinating place rich in history.
Discover our selection of the designer’s pieces to shop on Modalova:
