Book Yves Saint Laurent: Impossible collection by Assouline

Description

After getting his big break assisting French couture titan Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent stood out and transformed high fashion for a new era of young, strong, independent women. His designs changed the course of 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 pantsuit, the Saharienne khaki safari jacket and the Le Smoking tuxedo, and introduced scandalous ideas such as sheer blouses and the bold Opium perfume, whose titillating name and the first advertisements. were shocked. He was also one of the first couturiers to design for fast fashion, creating a tuxedo for French major retailer La Redoute in 1996.

With Laurence Benaïm, renowned fashion journalist and Saint Laurent expert, Assouline has organized the 100 most emblematic signature pieces from Yves Saint Laurent's forty-year oeuvre, from the very first looks to appear on the catwalks of his first eponymous collection in January 1962 after his departure from Dior, at his last couture presentation upon his retirement in 2002.

The best-selling addition to Assouline's exclusive ultimate collection of handcrafted volumes, Yves Saint Laurent: The Impossible Collection spotlights all the classics: the Mondrian shift dress; the black dress with white collar and cuffs for the film Belle de Jour; the legendary collection of the Ballets Russes; tributes to Picasso, Matisse and van Gogh; the fitted pantsuits and flowing “pencil” draped dresses; the sumptuous use of velvet, lace, feathers, leopard print and bright jewel tones.

Exclusive white gloves and canvas tote bag are included with every purchase of an Ultimate Collection book.

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