Yves Saint Laurent Museum – Marrakech

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent opened in October 2017 is a grand homage to the great Parisian fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. It’s on the top of my list of places to visit in Marrakech…

Designed by French architecture firm Studio KO, the 4000 sqm (or over 43,000 sqft) complex includes exhibition space, an auditorium, a research library, a bookstore and a cafe.  Studio KO was inspired by Saint Laurent’s love of Morocco, which began with his 1966 purchase of a home in Marrakech with Pierre Bergé, and the couple’s restoration of the famed Majorelle Garden in 1980.

The exhibition of  clothing, haute couture accessories, and sketches from the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent is stunning but no photography allowed. The museum both celebrates and conserves the masterpieces created by Yves Saint Laurent. Walking through these iconic designs is extremely emotional, with a beautiful choreography and lighting. To get a glimpse of this incredible sensory experience, visit the museum site.

The 12-acre Majorelle Garden was created by French artist Jacques Majorelle, using “Majorelle blue”, an intense cobalt blue accents for the buildings, fountains and edges of the garden, and honoring Moorish traditions in a tropical setting.

During his first journey to Marrakech in 1966, Yves Saint Laurent visited the Jardin Majorelle nearly every day. To him, it was a sanctuary where he could roam, away from the noise and dust of the city. When he learned that the gardens were about to be destroyed and redeveloped, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the land and began a passionate restoration project of the gardens and the public areas and created the Villa Oasis, their lavish retreat from Paris.

During his first journey to Marrakech in 1966, Yves Saint Laurent visited the Jardin Majorelle nearly every day. To him, it was a sanctuary where he could roam, away from the noise and dust of the city. When he learned that the gardens were about to be destroyed and redeveloped, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the land and began a passionate restoration project of the gardens and the public areas and created the Villa Oasis, their lavish retreat from Paris.

Majorelle’s former villa also houses a Berber Museum of artifacts, costumes, and jewels highlighting the ancient Moroccan culture. Created by itinerant silversmiths, often women, the jewels are worn not only as a display of wealth but also as a shield for the wearer’s health. On display is Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s own collection of tribal finery that reflects their interest in international couture.

I really enjoyed visiting this mesmerizing place which is a superb combination of Parisian creative genius and Moroccan ancient culture set in an intriguing tropical garden.

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