When the lights dim and a curtain lifts in Marrakech, the audience does not only witness a performance – it steps into a world woven by Yves Saint Laurent, the legendary couturier whose imagination once turned Parisian runways into theatrical stages. On 31 January 2026 the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech (mYSLm) opened its doors to “Yves Saint Laurent en scène”, an exhibition that pulls back the velvet curtain on a lesser‑known facet of the designer’s oeuvre: the costumes and sets he created for theatre, music‑hall, and ballet. By foregrounding these works, the museum invites visitors to trace the lineage of a creative impulse that began in a 13‑year‑old boy’s astonishment in Oran, Algeria, and blossomed into a lifelong dialogue between fashion and the performing arts.
Act II: a sequel that enriches the narrative
Following the debut of the first installment at Rome’s Fondation Nicola Del Roscio in 2024, the Marrakech edition presents itself as a genuine “Act II”, populated with pieces that have rarely, if ever, left the archives. Curated jointly by Stephan Janson, the current steward of Saint Laurent’s legacy, and Domitille Éblé, head of collections at the Paris museum, the show draws on the extensive holdings of the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent and on international loans. This collaborative effort deepens the story of a designer who, far from confining his talent to haute couture, saw the stage as an expansive laboratory where fabric, colour, and silhouette could be tested against movement, narrative, and emotion.
The costume as dramaturgy
Within the exhibition, sketches, maquettes, and original garments reveal Saint Laurent’s conviction that a costume is not merely decorative but an essential component of a character’s psyche. Whether dressing the swash‑buckling hero of Roland Petit’s “Cyrano de Bergerac” or crafting the flamboyant “Truc en plumes” for Zizi Jeanmaire, the designer treated cloth as a second skin, engineered to amplify gesture and to echo the inner life of the performer. His collaborations with icons such as Sylvie Vartan and Johnny Hallyday further illustrate how he translated popular culture into theatrical opulence, always mindful of the balance between visual spectacle and the practical demands of dance and song.
An immersive journey through the backstage
The museum’s layout abandons the static “glass case” model in favour of an immersive experience that guides visitors from the initial pencil line to the final sewn masterpiece. Rarely displayed costumes, some stitched by the legendary ateliers of Karinska, sit beside original set pieces and archival photographs, allowing the audience to witness the alchemy of design, material, and performance. By echoing the influence of Léon Bakst, Saint Laurent’s stage work demonstrates how colour theory and theatrical lighting intertwine, turning each garment into a kinetic brushstroke that breathes life into the narrative.
Practical details for the curious explorer
“Yves Saint Laurent en scène” will be on view at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, from 31 January 2026 until 5 January 2027. The museum welcomes guests daily except Wednesdays, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the last admission at 5:30 p.m. Whether you are a fashion aficionado, a theatre lover, or simply a seeker of cultural richness, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the symbiotic relationship between couture and the performing arts, reminding us that clothing can be as expressive as any line of dialogue.
By spotlighting these theatrical creations, the museum not only preserves an essential chapter of Yves Saint Laurent’s legacy but also challenges contemporary designers to consider how their work can transcend the runway and inhabit the dynamic space of live performance. As visitors walk through the galleries, they are invited to imagine the next act where fashion and stage continue to intersect, inspiring new generations to dress not just bodies, but stories.
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