Yves Saint Laurent saw the power of photography to push boundaries and take risks that had an impact in the fashion world and beyond. The new exhibition Yves Saint Laurent and Photography, at New York’s International Center of Photography, includes nearly 300 iconic photographs and archival objects with images by artists including Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Irving Penn, Andy Warhol and others.
Pairing photographs with contact sheets, campaign materials, magazines and personal images, the exhibit shows the vital role images played in legacy of the Yves Saint Laurent brand. Curated by Briana Ellis-Gibbs, the exhibition runs from Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Highlights from the Exhibition
The exhibition features numerous standout pieces, including:
- Models from the spring/summer 1966 haute couture collection, published in Harper’s Bazaar, March 1966, photographed by James Moore.
- Ensemble worn by Edia Vairelli from the haute couture spring/summer 1982 collection, captured in a Polaroid by Yves Saint Laurent himself.
- Yves Saint Laurent, Paris, 1957, photographed by Irving Penn.
- Cocktail dress from the fall/winter 1965 haute couture collection, also known as the Tribute to Piet Mondrian, published in Elle, September 1965, photographed by Peter Knapp.
- Evening dress from the fall/winter 1984 haute couture collection, published in Vogue, November 1984, photographed by Dominique Issermann.
- Tailored suit worn by Anna Karin, haute couture fall/winter 1991 collection, captured in a Polaroid by Yves Saint Laurent.
- Yves Saint Laurent, 1966, photographed by Harry Meerson.
- Cocktail dresses known as Homage to Pop Art, fall/winter 1966 haute couture collection, published in Life magazine, September 1966, photographed by Jean-Claude Sauer.
Exploring the Legacy
The exhibition underscores how photography was integral to the Yves Saint Laurent brand's identity and influence. By juxtaposing images with behind-the-scenes materials, visitors gain insight into the creative process and the symbiotic relationship between fashion and photography.
