Art Auction, Haute Couture, Paris

Timeless Treasures: Christie’s Showcases Two Haute Couture Masterpieces by Paul Poiret and Yves Saint Laurent!

Two Haute Couture Masterpieces by the Icons: Paul Poiret and Yves Saint Laurent

Paris – As the Paris Fashion Week captivates the fashion world, Christie’s is thrilled to announce a remarkable auction on November 20 in Paris featuring a rare Minaret ensemble by Paul Poiret and an exquisite cardigan by Yves Saint Laurent, beautifully embroidered by the Maison Mesrine. Both designers, known for their bold and innovative styles, have left an indelible mark on fashion history, celebrating the liberation of the female form through their work. Staying true to its legacy within the fashion realm, Christie’s will showcase these couture treasures during its Exceptional Sale, a must-attend event for connoisseurs seeking extraordinary pieces that transcend the boundaries of art.

Christie’s and Fashion
For several years, Christie’s has recognized fashion as an art form in its own right. The auction house has curated and auctioned several exceptional collections, including those of Catherine Deneuve and Zizi Jeanmaire. Noteworthy pieces have included the embroidered evening coat by Lesage, which set a world record in 2022 for Karl Lagerfeld and the House of Chanel, as well as the unforgettable Tournesols jacket, which established a new record for Yves Saint Laurent.


Paul Poiret: The King of Fashion

As highlighted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which honored him with a major retrospective in 2005, Paul Poiret was a designer who “more than any other creator of the 20th century… elevated fashion to the level of art.” Inspired by the success of the Ballets Russes in 1910, Poiret unleashed his Orientalist sensibilities, debuting his creations on stage in 1913 during Jacques Richepin’s play, Le Minaret.

One of his signature pieces, featuring lush green silk adorned with gold accents and embellished with blue and brown spotted feathers, will be available for auction on November 20. This ensemble, which includes a turban with an aigrette, a tunic, harem-style pants, an undergarment, a hand mirror, and a pair of shoes, originates from the collection of the Marquise de Luppé.

Symbolizing the wave of modernity that swept through Paris from the Belle Époque to the Roaring Twenties, Le Minaretis among the highlights of this year’s exhibition at the Petit Palais, Le Paris de la Modernité. The ensemble is estimated to fetch between €40,000 and €60,000.

Timeless Elegance: The Exquisite Embroidery of Maison Mesrine for Yves Saint Laurent

Step into a world of luxury with the stunning cardigan crafted by the renowned Maison Mesrine for Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 1972-1973 Haute Couture Collection. This exquisite piece, richly adorned with intricate embroidery, captured the hearts of fashion insiders and was immortalized by the iconic Catherine Deneuve on the cover of Paris Match.

With inspiration drawn from the lavish treasures of 17th and 18th-century Russia, the cardigan features a dazzling array of beadwork, metallic embellishments, and golden sequins, enhanced by radiant cabochons of ruby and emerald. However, it is the garment’s exceptional softness—an embodiment of Maison Mesrine’s masterful craftsmanship—that elevates it to a realm of true luxury.

Yves Saint Laurent famously stated, “Luxury is less about the clothing itself and more about how it makes you feel… It should be comfortable, fluid, and smooth.” This philosophy is beautifully reflected in the cardigan, which is poised to become a sought-after piece at auction, with estimates ranging from €15,000 to €25,000. Prepare to be captivated by a creation that epitomizes the artistry and allure of Haute Couture.

images ©Christie’s

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