One of the most distinctive & influential designers of the second half of the twentieth century Yves Saint Laurent takes his place in the pantheon of French couturiers alongside Coco Chanel Christian Dior & Jeanne Lanvin Yves Saint Laurent the first comprehensive retrospective of his life's work will accompany an exhibition of some 250 garments from the collection of the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent at the Petit Palais in Paris From his early days working under Dior & heading the House of Dior after his mentor's death to the opening of his first pret a porter shop on the Rive Gauche & the debut of the Le Smoking tuxedo to the muses he adored Loulou de la Falaise & Catherine Deneuve among them this volume reveals the breadth & scope of the designer's entire career With a preface by Pierre Berge author Faride Chenoune explores the sources of inspiration that drove Saint Laurent's continuous innovation drawing upon painting sculpture theatre opera literature & cinema The exhibition at the Petit Palais will run March 11-August 29 2010 & it may also travel to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London