Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Marrakesh, Morocco
متحف إیف سان لوران بمراكش
This captivating museum presents an array of haute couture clothing and accessories by pioneering French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakesh, Morocco.
History
In 1980, Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé purchased the Jardin Majorelle- a Cubist villa designed by French architect, Paul Sinoir in the 1930s.
They used it to pay homage to the North African influences on that inspired and captivated Saint Laurent after his first trip to Morocco in 1966. It was particularly interesting to see the impact that this influence had on his designs before and after visiting Marrakech- vivid and vibrant colours where splashed on the Mondrian collection. Saint Laurent even said “before Marrakech, everything was black”, clearly Morocco was at the core of his inspiration. Sadly, my wardrobe after Marrakesh still remains mostly black.
There are three parts to the araction: the Berber Museum, Le Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum that was open to the public in October 2017.
Initial Impressions
Rue Yves Saint Laurent has become a European cultural centre in the isolated outskirts of Marrakesh; an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the Kasbah. This has substantially promoted the rise of high-end boutiques and immaculately dressed tourists.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent
The YSL exhibition hall was my favourite feature, highlighting Saint Laurent’s most noteworthy designs and sketches; the Pea Coat, the Mondrian Dress, ‘Le Smoking’ and the Safari Jacket accompanied by music and interview recordings of the time. These pieces were displayed against a black background and low lighting making it incredibly intimate. A superb chronological and in-depth insight into Saint Laurent’s successful career and what he brought to the fashion industry. Born in Algeria he incorporated North African and especially Moroccan shapes and colours to create an idiosyncratic and distinctive style.
The mood is set by the iconic songs of the past to associate the development of the Haute Couture of the time. So you know you are in the 1960s when the Rolling Stones are being played, but I was a lile lost when Ravel’s Bolero came on. However, I suppose it is representative of French Impressionism.
The architecture of the actual museum itself, located outside the gardens was Modern yet incredibly Moroccan-designed by the Parisian architecture firm Studio KO. The use of local ochre bricks (a stunning dusty rose) imitated the “weft and warp of fabric” from the outside, allowing it to blend in with its backdrop. Whereas the interior was designed to emulate the silky lining of a couture jacket, “velvety, smooth and radiant”. This can be best observed in the cafe, “Le Studio”.
Although costing US$17 million, I am sure the Bauhaus School would have approved of its functionality and simple design by incorporating traditional Moroccan and innovative, aesthetically pleasing French design.
Le Jardin Majorelle
Designed by Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924, the botanical garden characterised by its large array of oddly shaped cacti, stunning fountains and of course the striking and surreal cobalt blue (Majorelle Blue) walls. A true fusion of Art Deco and Moorish influences, resulting in the epitome of peace, tranquillity and relaxation. Saint Laurent and Bergé restores and opened it up to the public, so all could relish in its beauty. The water heightens the welcoming of guests in Arab culture.
The garden is also home to the Berber Museum, displaying the creativity and of the most ancient people in North Africa through garments and accessories. Artefacts were collected from the Rif Mountains to the Sahara Desert- rich and diverse in culture.
On the whole, it was a worthwhile experience. Even my father, who genuinely believes the pinnacle of fashion is the desert boot, found it breathtaking. There was a beautiful interlacing or fusion of French and North African culture in the form of wearable art that has stood the test of time. It was truly fascinating to observe Saint Laurent’s most iconic pieces over the years across all his collections. You will leave feeling inspired and enlightened; a tribute of fashion.
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