This new documentary follows the story of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s relationship, interweaving scenes from the removal of the collection from their Paris apartment in the Rue de Babylone, and houses in Morocco and Normandy, with candid
For three days in February 2009, Christie’s hosted the Auction of the Century at the Grand Palais in Paris. This was the sale of the private collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, amassed over forty years living and working together. After Saint Laurent’s death in 2008, Bergé felt it was time to find new homes for the objets d’arts they had loved and lived with for so long, rather than risk leaving their predicament to fate. The Christie’s sale grossed over 370 million euros.
Pierre Thoretton’s new documentary follows the story of Saint Laurent and Bergé’s relationship, interweaving scenes from the removal of the collection from their Paris apartment in the Rue de Babylone, and houses in Morocco and Normandy, with candid interviews with Bergé and Saint Laurent’s closest friends including Betty Catroux and muse Loulou de la Falaise. As well as archive footage of catwalk shows, parties, funerals and celebrities – Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger and Catherine Deneuve all make appearances – there is footage of Saint Laurent himself throughout the years; nervously facing the camera to discuss his latest collections.
"Bergé speaks candidly about the highs and lows of living with Saint Laurent’s creative genius: his depression, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, his constant anxieties over the next collection"
Having both attended Christian Dior’s funeral in 1957, Saint Laurent and Bergé eventually met several months later, and it was love at first sight. The 21-year-old Saint Laurent had just been named Dior’s successor, but soon left to start his own couture house. With his talent and Bergé’s business sense behind him, it did not take long for the shy and myopic Saint Laurent to become one of the top couturiers. Over the years the two men amassed an exquisite personal art collection with works from Sénoufo, Goya, Duchamp, Picasso, Matisse, Brancusi, Mondrian, and Eileen Gray furniture. It was a collection that reflected their personal passions and inspired Saint Laurent’s designs.
Bergé, who is a human rights activist and director of the Paris Opera, speaks candidly about the highs and lows of living with Saint Laurent’s creative genius: his depression, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, his constant anxieties over the next collection. He also recounts Saint Laurent’s love of Proust, his passion for his craft, and his affection for his close friends. Speaking of Saint Laurent’s seclusion in later life, Bergé quotes author Madame de Staël: “La gloire est le deuil éclatant du Bonheur” (“Fame is the dazzling mourning of happiness”).
Text Ananda Pellerin
L’Amour Fou screens tonight at the Town Hall Hotel & Apartments in Bethnal Green as part of the Test Presents… series of films on fashion. It will also screen tomorrow night at the ICA. The DVD will be available from November 21 from Studio Canal.
Ananda Pellerin is a London-based writer who is a regular contributor to AnOther Magazine and AnOthermag.com, including The Hunger food column.
