Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective

Yves Saint Laurent changed the world of fashion with his gender-bending designs such as tuxedos for women. While not remarkable today, it was quite scandalous in an era where women did not wear the pants in the family -- both figuratively and literally.

Saint Laurent was born in Algeria in 1936, and moved to Paris at the age of 18. At the age of 21, he became the head of the House of Dior. In the 1960s, he started his own fashion line after being fired from Dior. He received the news that he was fired while convalescing in a military hospital, after a brief stint in the French Army during the Algerian War of Independence.

While the House of Yves Saint Laurent began with haute couture, he also was the first French couture designer to announce a prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) line in 1966. Catherine Deneuve, Paloma Picasso, and socialite Nan Kempner were among the celebrities who supported Yves Saint Laurent. After decades in the fashion industry, he retired in 2002. Saint Laurent passed away from brain cancer in 2008 at the age of 71, days after marrying his partner Pierre Bergé in a civil union.

"We're thrilled to bring the stunning style and design of Saint Laurent to the United States," said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the Denver Art Museum, in a statement. "His designs revolutionized the fashion world just as the masters he drew inspiration from revolutionized the art world."

The exhibit contains 200 haute couture outfits, ranging from glamorous evening dresses to chic pantsuits. Drawings, photographs and videos also help bring the world of Yves Saint Laurent to life for visitors. "Art and literature were quite important inspirations for him. In one gallery, we have garments inspired by artists such as Mondrian, Van Gogh and Braque," said Sonnet Hanson, educator for the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit.

The Denver Art Museum is the only venue for the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit in the United States. Director Christoph Heinrich saw the show in Paris, and convinced the European-based foundation to allow an exhibit in the Mile High City. "Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective" also will have traveled to Madrid before it arrives in Denver on March 25. The exhibit will be at the DAM through July 8, 2012.

While the show displays sumptuous fashion for women, it also has hands-on activities for children of all ages to explore the world of haute couture. "There are plenty of things for kids to do in the studio space... People can also try on garments by those inspired by those in collection, and people can walk down the runway," said Hanson.

Denver Art Museum
100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy
Denver, CO 80204
720-865-5000

Hours:
Tues. - Thurs. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
"Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective" is ticketed separately from regular admission to the museum. The Denver Art Museum is closed on Mondays.

Admission to Yves Saint Laurent:
Adults $22, Seniors/Students $18, Youth (Ages 6 - 17) $14
Tickets may be reserved online. The tickets are reserved for specific times every half hour.