I visited the De Young Museum in San Francisco. I chose this museum because the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit was on display. I am very interested in fashion and styling, so to see YSL pieces from the 50's to the 2000's was really great. He had several tribute pieces including one for Vincent Van Gogh featuring a beaded jacket with Van Gogh's Irises print. Many of the YSL pieces played with different textures and and materials. He created a line of extravagant wedding dresses featuring a wool hooded coat and a silk flower bikini with a pink silk train. He wasn't afraid to push the limits and turn fashion into wearable art. The museum also framed some of the original sketches; so it was really interesting to see his ideas transpire from paper to unique and beautiful haute couture designs. Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized the fashion industry by being one of the first designers to use African American & Asian and Pacific Islander models. He also created the most infamous women's tuxedo that gave women a sense of empowerment since tuxedos were typically worn by men of power and influence. Yves Saint Laurent paid tribute to many artists, musicians & actors through his designs. He experimented with unique materials such as pheasant & vulture feathers to created a one of kind couture gown. He wasn't afraid of using bright colors, heavy fabrics and even horse hair head pieces. He pushed the limits of the fashion world and I am glad that I was able to experience his work first hand. I would definitely recommend seeing this exhibit!
I enjoyed this posting, Melissa. I particularly liked the comment you made about how you liked to see his work go from paper into couture designs. It always amazes me how one person can be so talented and see so much that we can not. To take ideas for such extreme clothing from pen to needle is so difficult. I have watched the show project runway a few times and what those designers are able to do with so little is nothing short of art. Every artist is different and I like that you thought outside of the box when you chose to go to the De Young museum. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteHello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI too visited this exhibit and really loved it! I was there to see the Warhol exhibit that was 2 floors down, but went up and was blown away by the body of work from YSL. I plan on taking my 96 year old grandmother to the exhibit next week, as she was given a full scholarship to study fashion in Paris in 1930 for college.. but her mother did not let her go! (She did not trust my grandma going to Paris alone!) Thanks for posting the pictures..great review of the exhibit!
Kimberlie