Yves Saint-Laurent: The Impossible Collection

After his big break as an assistant to French couture giant Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent went independent and transformed haute couture for a new era of youthful, strong, independent women. His designs changed the course of fashion and introduced the concept of designer ready-to-wear to a wider audience. He was far ahead of his time, creating feminine versions of masculine styles such as the pinstripe pantsuit, the Saharienne khaki safari jacket and Le Smoking tuxedo, and introduced outrageous ideas such as see-through blouses and the bold perfume Opium, whose tantalizing name and early advertisements were met with bewilderment. He was also one of the first couturiers to design for fast fashion, when he designed a tuxedo for French mass-market chain La Redoute in 1996.

Together with renowned fashion journalist and Saint Laurent expert Laurence Benaïm, Assouline has selected the 100 most iconic pieces from Yves Saint Laurent's 40-year oeuvre, from the very first looks that appeared on the catwalk in January 1962 in his eponymous debut collection after his departure from Dior, to his last couture presentation upon his retirement in 2002.

The coffee table book 'Yves Saint Laurent: The Impossible Collection', the best-selling addition to Assouline's exclusive Ultimate Collection of handmade books, highlights all the classics: the Mondrian shift dress; the black dress with white collar and cuffs for the film Belle de Jour; the legendary Ballets Russes collection; the tributes to Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh; the tailored pantsuits and flowing 'coup de crayon' dresses; the generous use of velvet, lace, feathers, leopard print and dazzling jewel tones - making this the ultimate coffee table fashion book for lovers of haute couture and design history.

Specifications
Title: Yves Saint-Laurent: The Impossible Collection
Author: Laurence Benaïm
Publisher: Assouline
Size: 400 x 470 x 80 mm
Size: 208 pages
Weight: 11.34 kg
Language: English
Material: Hardcover
Extra: Handmade book in a deluxe clamshell cover with a metal plaque featuring the Feadship logo
ISBN: 9781614289425