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Preview of the Yves Saint Laurent film

— by Alyson Walsh

We’re off to Paris in a couple of weeks and so a preview of the Yves Saint Laurent film last night provided a nice little taster. Un petit soupcon. Not that me and Mr That’s Not My Age will be staying up late partying with the beautiful people but we’ll be there in spirit. Of the two biopics on the French designer out this year, this is the one approved by Pierre Bergé – Saint Laurent’s business partner and former lover – and that’s quite obvious, Bergé comes across well, as the guardian of the troubled designer who struggles with manic depression, drink and drugs. Early on he says to YSL, ‘You have the talent, I’ll always be here for you.’ And when Yves falls in love with the dashing Jacques de Bascher, he confesses to Bergé ‘ I love him but you’re the love of my life.’

Actor Pierre Niney looks uncannily like YSL, albeit with a prosthetic
nose, which bothered me initially but I was soon swept away by the behind-the-scenes drama and fabulous costumes. There’s a heavy focus on the friendship between the designer and the model Victoire Doutreleau, yet not so much on his relationships with Betty Catroux and Loulou de la Falaise, which is a shame. One of my favourite scenes is the moment when the Mondrian dress bursts into colourful life on the screen – although from a fashion perspective, I wish more had been made of Le Smoking. For me, that’s the seminal moment in YSL’s career. Any excuse to include one of my favourite photos, ever.

Le Smoking: Helmut Newton for French Vogue

It’s funny isn’t it, there are lots of films about Chanel but this is the first about Yves Saint Laurent. His life was beset by emotional difficulty, drama and glamour – making this a very moving tale. Oh and I would love to visit the Jardin de Majorelle in Marrakech where Yves Saint Laurent spent time in the seventies with Bergé and friends including Loulou de la Falaise. Maybe that’ll be our next trip…

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We’re off to Paris in a couple of weeks and so a preview of the Yves Saint Laurent film last night provided a nice little taster. Un petit soupcon.