Whether you are a fashionista..or not…the show:

Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style

is perfection! It is at the VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) in Richmond, Va. I’ve had it on my radar for about six months and then had the perfect excuse/occasion to go. I met a friend, who flew down from Boston, to celebrate a big Birthday for her. What better way than spending time together, walking around this lovely Southern city, staying in an iconic and historic hotel,  and then going to an exhibit that has it all: color, design, texture, history, and the genius of St. Laurent.

I even found this short video showing the set up for the exhibit. Enjoy!

 

Let’s go back to the beginning of our mini-vacation. We arrived at
The Jefferson Hotel

It has a reputation far and wide for luxury and service and it did not disappoint! The rooms are enormous. Entrance hall; bedroom; dressing room; large dressing closet; bathroom; separate toilet room; marble shower. And each part of the room had exterior windows that opened (I’m a stickler for this..)

Let’s skip ahead for a minute to the following morning. This is where we were at 7 AM!!! We both like to swim so had brought our suits for this salt water pool. My friend was just so pleased to be spending her birthday morning right here! Mind you, this was an especially BIG birthday year…

 

Back to the exhibit and the museum:
The Perfection of Style
was organized by and first shown at the Seattle Art Museum. This Richmond show is the final and only East Coast venue…so don’t miss it!
It is fabulous. I can recommend it without any hesitation. The very first room you enter has an exhibit of paper dolls. Yes, these have never been shown anywhere! St. Laurent made paper dolls in his early teen years and, amazingly, they have been saved in perfect form. He would invite his two sisters to a “showing” of his new creations for these dolls. The drawings, the detail work, and the concepts are nothing short of incredible for someone so young. And so began his career. By age 21 he was head of Dior.

These top two images are of the embellishments and embroidery used in so many of his creations. The detail work is beyond amazing. The bottom image is of the many hat forms made throughout the years.

Then there is the Museum. The surrounding gardens are a perfect place to sit, stroll, listen to the water and have lunch at the Cafe.

 

Scenes from downtown Richmond:

 

I had had The Valentine Museum on my radar for years, wanting to see their textile collection. Finally, we had a glimpse inside and went on the docent led tour of the house.

 

They also have a lovely garden and serve lunch. We were too late, but next time…

We also had perfect weather: not too sunny or hot which made for great walking tours.

If you can possibly get to the VMFA before the end of August, I urge you to do so. This is one exhibit you really do not want to miss!!