Since December 16, 2013, Internet users have been able to discover sketches made by Yves Saint Laurent online: his sketches of theatrical and ballroom costumes. The Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent is publishing its archives as part of the cultural heritage digitization project launched by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.
This is the third time the Foundation has put its archives online. The first two waves of digitization made available the Papers Dolls: 11 paper dolls and some 443 garments designed and created by Yves Saint Laurent between 1953 and 1955. But also the plates of the comic strip La Vilaine Lulu and sketches of costumes for the cinema. This time, the worlds of theater and ballroom are in the spotlight.
The designer is not only interested in fashion. He’s also been a theater enthusiast since childhood. After attending a performance of L’Ecole des Femmes directed by Louis Jouvet, with sets by Christian Bérard, he decided to create stage costumes alongside his work as a couturier. The first to commission him was choreographer Roland Petit in 1959 for Cyrano de Bergerac. Numerous collaborations followed until 1980. In 1966, for example, Yves Saint Laurent designed Arletty’s costumes for Jean Cocteau’sLes Monstres sacrés at the Théâtre des Ambassadeurs.
His taste for theater led him to appreciate the festive, colorful atmosphere of the evenings. Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent attended numerous balls organized by personalities from the worlds of art and fashion. At these parties, it’s all about showing off, making a name for yourself and getting noticed. That’s why it’s essential to take care with your attire. That’s why many celebrities ask Yves Saint Laurent to dress them. For example, he created a magnificent Belle Epoque gown for Jane Birkin for a costume ball organized by Marie-Hélène de Rothschild in 1971 to celebrate Marcel Proust’s 100th birthday.
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