Musée Yves Saint Laurent

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is housed in a private mansion that served as the legendary fashion designer’s headquarters from 1974 to 2002. The museum opened in 2017 alongside its Moroccan counterpart, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, and hosts retrospectives and temporary exhibits. With a focus on Saint Laurent’s creative process rather than the brand’s history, the small museum is a treasure trove of iconic haute couture designs, as well as illustrations, photographs, sketches, and films. Spread out over 4,800 feet, the museum was designed to recreate the intimate feel of the original couture house. Highlights include the reception rooms where the designer met with clients, as well as the studio, where all of the collections were designed. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one?   The museum only hosts temporary collections and retrospectives, which rotate every year. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect?   Temporary thematic exhibitions offer insight into Saint Laurent’s creative mind, inviting visitors to closely examine his haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing and accessories, illustrations, documents, drawings, and objects. Past exhibits have spotlighted Saint Laurent’s iconic Mondrian dresses, as well as his relationship with several Lyon-based textile firms. A recent retrospective celebrated the 60th anniversary of Yves Saint Laurent’s first couture show, giving visitors an insider peek at 300 sketches and dozens of prototypes and patterns from the museum’s vast archives. Through careful curation, visitors are encouraged to consider parallels between the designer’s well-known pieces and penchant for decorative arts, travel, and painters like Matisse and Picasso. One room might feature garments hung from the ceiling like sculptural art installations, while another could be filled with portraits of Saint Laurent captured by the likes of Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, and Helmut Newton. The ephemeral nature of the museum's exhibits means there's always a reason to come back. What did you make of the crowd? The museum is teeming with fashion enthusiasts keen to pore over intricate embroidery or a well-tailored safari jacket. But its inconspicuous location on a quiet street in the 16th arrondissement also means visitors arrive here with the clear intention to take a deep dive into the world of YSL. The rooms are small and the space does get crowded—at times, there are lineups to view films and specific garments (but it’s always well worth the wait). Photographers should note that the lighting in the museum is kept dim to preserve the fragile fabrics of the garments. Though children under 10 years old can get in for free, it’s not a popular museum for kids. It’s strongly recommended to buy your ticket in advance, especially during Paris’s high season from April to October. On the practical tip, how were the facilities?   The museum is designed to make visitors feel like they're snaking their way through the original headquarters where 200 tailors and seamstresses once worked. You’ll spend a few minutes in each room before moving to the next, with minimal direction (there are no maps and few signs) standing room, or seating areas. Make sure you don’t miss the second floor, where you’ll find a recreation of Saint Laurent’s studio, as well as a short film about his rise to fame after designing for Dior in the 1950s. For people with mobility issues or disabilities, a wheelchair can be reserved upon request. Any guided tours worth trying?    There are no audio guides or group tours during regular hours. However, guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., before the museum officially opens to the public at 11 a.m. These are well worth taking advantage of if you want some more context or a semi-private experience since groups are capped at 15 people per tour. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?    There is a small but well-curated gift shop before the exit where you’ll find several books, postcards, and prints. There is an impressive selection of poster-sized prints from the designer’s series of “Love” greeting cards that he would design and send to his friends, collaborators, and clients annually. Is the café worth a stop? There is no café or restaurant in the museum. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Since the museum is made up of less than a dozen small rooms, you can easily see a whole exhibit in under 90 minutes. Guided tours run for about an hour, which is just enough time for a comprehensive overview of everything the museum has to offer." - Julia Eskins