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YSL retrospective in Madrid

Although the main Cibeles glamour and catwalk collections of September are over, there's still a big treat in store for fashionistas planning a trip to the Spanish capital before the end of the year: until January 8th, 2012, the Fundacion Mapfre is hosting a major retrospective of Yves Saint Laurent in Madrid.

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The exhibition, on display at the Fundacion Mapfre on the elegant tree-lined boulevard Paseo de Recoletos in the centre of the city, is the first hosted in Spain to look back on the life and work of the great artist and designer and pay tribute to the incomparable YSL universe. Previously exhibited at the Petit Palais in Paris, it is a full review of 40 years of creativity.


Among around 150 models of haute couture and pret-a-porter are some of the most iconic Yves Saint Laurent designs, as well as 80 original sketches, photographs and films that recount the fashion guru's incredible contribution to the world of design and take a look at the many inspirations behind his collections. 



The staging of the exhibition is conceived as a theatrical progression from the very beginnings of the young Yves Saint Laurent's career as designer at Dior, and the 1958 debut collection that featured the legendary Trapeze dress, right through to the splendid evening gowns of later years, and including on the way some of the innovative women's outfits inspired by traditional menswear.

The retrospective is divided into ten spaces: The Dior Years, Real/Mental Studio, the Gender Revolution, YSL and Women, Catherine Deneuve: an Encounter, Collection 40: the Scandal, Imaginary Journeys, Tribute to the Artists, the Last Ball, and The Smoking. These show the artistic and cultural inspirations of this fashion genius who broke any number of moulds and revolutionised women's clothing in his four-decade career.The climax of the show is a marvel of colours and creations that bring his work firmly into the present where the YSL brand includes women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, perfumes, jewellery, scarves and ties.



Further information:Yves Saint Lauren RetrospectiveInstitute of Culture, Paseo de Recoletos, 23Until January 8th, 2012

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