Yves Saint Laurent, the Impossible Collection (book)

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Yves Saint Laurent, the Impossible Collection (book) by Laurence Benaïm. Publisher: Assouline. Handcrafted in a luxurious linen clamshell case. 2020. 208 pages, 160 illustrations. Brand new book in English. Large size: W 15.6 x L 18.7 x D 3.3 in. Weight: 25 lb.

After breaking into the world as an assistant to French couture giant Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent struck out on his own and transformed haute couture for a new era of young, strong, and independent women. His creations revolutionized fashion, introducing the concept of designer ready-to-wear to a wider clientele.

Ahead of his time, he created feminine versions of men’s styles, such as the pinstriped trouser suit, the khaki safari jacket, and Le Smoking, and introduced scandalous ideas like sheer blouses and the daring Opium perfume, whose catchy name and early advertisements caused a stir. He was also one of the first couturiers to design for fast fashion, creating a tuxedo for the French department store chain La Redoute in 1996.

With the help of Laurence Benaïm, renowned fashion journalist and Saint Laurent expert, we have selected the 100 most iconic signature pieces from Yves Saint Laurent’s forty-year career, from the very first looks to appear on the runway of his first eponymous collection in January 1962, after his departure from Dior, to his final couture presentation upon his retirement in 2002.

Yves Saint Laurent: The Impossible Collection highlights all the classics: the Mondrian sheath dress; the black dress with white collar and cuffs for the film Belle de Jour; the legendary Ballets Russes collection; the tributes to Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh; the tailored pantsuits and flowing draped “coup de crayon” dresses; the lavish use of velvet, lace, feathers, leopard prints and shimmering jewel tones.

Feel free to check out the additional photos at the top left, thank you!

If you prefer to pay in euros, =before= you start ordering, you must click on the word “Français” in orange, under the main photo above, which will redirect you to the same description in French and payment in Euros.