When Yves Saint Laurent arrived in Paris at the age of 17 from the Algerian city of Oran, he took the fashion world by storm. Saint Laurent soon found himself working for Christian Dior, who immediately recognized his creative genius and in 1957, after Dior's sudden death, he was appointed head designer at the age of 21. And so, overnight, Yves Saint Laurent became the ruler of the Parisian fashion world.
After a few years at Dior, Saint Laurent decided to branch out and create his own fashion label with his friend and business partner Pierre Bergé. His new brand was an immediate success and he was crowned the “King of Paris” by the influential fashion magazine Women’s Wear Daily. And so for decades since Yves Saint Laurent Continues to influence the world of high fashion. Sometimes it's a little hard to understand how revolutionary Saint Laurent's clothes were for their time.
For Saint Laurent, fashion was not just about designing beautiful clothes but also an opportunity to make a (sometimes poignant) statement. Saint Laurent's first designs were created during the 60s, right at the time of the feminist revolution when more and more women were joining the workforce. He understood that women wanted to present a more powerful image and he gave them what they wanted. He was the first to design a pantsuit for women and, along the way, performed a "sex change operation" on the tuxedo, which until then was considered a purely masculine garment.
One of the reasons for Saint Laurent's success was his ability to adapt to changing circumstances in Paris and the rest of the world. He was among the first to understand that the world of haute couture, where clothes were made to order, was in decline and that the future lay in the field of ready-to-wear (Prêt a Porter).
Saint Laurent's vision was to make his fashion accessible to an audience that had previously been unable to afford it, and in order to do this, he created the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche brand, which allowed women to buy clothes designed by him at reasonable prices (relatively speaking, of course). In doing so, Saint Laurent brought high fashion to the masses and created a new fashion industry. All of this took place in Paris, of course, and in the following itinerary we will find some of the places where the fashion revolution took place.
Yves Saint Laurent's studio
Start your trip at the Alma Marceau metro station. Walk down Boulevard President Wilson and then Boulevard Marceau. Turn left onto Rue Léonce Reynaud. At number 3 you will find what was once Yves Saint Laurent's studio. Today, it is run by the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Association and hosts temporary exhibitions on fashion.
Palais Galliera
Retrace your steps to the past, where President Wilson lived. Galiera Palace Which today serves as the Fashion Museum and displays clothing, shoes and other fashion items from the 18th century to the present day. Please note that the museum is only open for temporary exhibitions, so it is recommended to check the museum's website for updates.
Temples of French fashion on Avenue Montaigne
Retrace your steps to Avenue Montaigne, the French fashion avenue. Here you will find all the most famous fashion brands displaying the latest trends in haute couture in their huge showcase stores. If you have already arrived here, you are welcome to sit down for a drink at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée hotel bar located at number 25 (and if you also want to do a little diet for your wallet, you are welcome to eat at the hotel restaurant where Yves Saint Laurent used to eat). Another option for eating in the area is the l'Avenue restaurant located a little further away at number 41.
Yves Saint Laurent brand store
After you've eaten, head to number 53 and take a peek at the Yves Saint Laurent flagship store. Cross the traffic circle of Champs Elysees Enter Boulevard Matignon and turn right onto Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, which later becomes Rue Saint-Honoré. There you can visit the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche boutique at 32-38. If you're already there and want a chance to meet the who's who of French fashion face to face, you'll have to walk a little to the Hotel Costes at 239 and visit the bar there (during Fashion Week you're guaranteed to bump into one of them).
Saint-Roch Church and the Palais Royal
Go to number 296 where you will find the Saint Roch Church. This is one of my favorite Baroque churches and it is worth a look inside not only because it was here that the funeral of Yves Saint Laurent was held on June 5, 2008.
Continue walking down Rue Saint-Honoré and turn left into the Palais Royal. There, at Galerie Montpensier, 20-24, you can find Didier Ludot's vintage shop and maybe, if you're lucky, even find a relatively reasonably priced Yves Saint Laurent garment (because what's a trip to Paris without a little shopping?).
That's it, this is where the trip ends. If you can't make it to Paris anytime soon and would like to get to know Saint Laurent and his life a little better, I highly recommend watching the following film that tells the story of his life.
Looking for more Itineraries in Paris? Click HERE.
Secrets of Le Marais: A Journey into the Historic and Chic Heart of Paris
Join us on a virtual journey to the most fascinating district in Paris. Together we will discover hidden courtyards, French nobility, and the true stories behind the magnificent facades.
Interesting as always
Thank you very much 🙂