Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech

For the love of the location: the new Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech
The new Musée Yves Saint Laurent with a floor area of 43,000 sf (mYSLm) is to open its doors in Marrakech in the fall of 2017.

YSL. Three letters that stand for the fascinating life and work of one of the greatest fashion designers. Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized fashion and dressed the most beautiful women. One of his credos for the catwalk was to combine colors, shapes and patterns from all over the world to create unique haute couture collections. This is perhaps why the world-famous Jardin Majorelle in Morocco was so close to his heart. Here, in front of the gates of the old city of Marrakech, he fell in love with the richly colored work of art featuring cacti, palms and water lilies from all continents.

The ideal place to showcase some of Saint Laurent's work, which is managed by the Fondation Pierre Bergé. This has commissioned the construction of the new Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech (mYSLm) in the Rue Yves Saint Laurent, right next to the Jardin Majorelle. At the same time, a new YSL museum is also being built in his home city of Paris. Both museums are to open next year.

The French Studio KO, founded by Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty, is responsible for the design and conception of the building in Marrakech. The aim of the two architects is for the architecture of the building to echo the fashion exhibited inside. It is inspired by one of Saint Laurent's most famous designs – the tuxedo collection for women. Velvety-smooth terracotta bricks produced in the region around Marrakech will cover the facade. Arranged in a tight lattice pattern, they create an almost fabric-like pattern. Elegant, calm and timeless. Just like a tuxedo that often surprises with an individual lining, inside, Studio KO created an exciting contrast to the discreet exterior. Colorful ornaments and fragments of stone are to adorn walls and floors.

Of the total of 43,000 sf of floor space, 4,300 sf are to be dedicated to a permanent exhibition about Yves Saint Laurent. Some of his work will be showcased here; this comprises some 5,000 items of clothing, 15,000 haute-couture accessories and tens of thousands of sketches. Another 1,600 sf will be available for temporary exhibitions. In addition, the new building will have a large terrace, restaurant and its own library containing some 5,000 books on fashion and design. The sanitary facilities will have toilets by designer-bathroom manufacturer Duravit: the wall-mounted toilets from the Darling New series by sieger design.
A harmonious circular form and delicate edges are the hallmark of this design classic within the Duravit program. Thanks to their closed sides, the models are particularly elegant and have no visible fastenings to interrupt the harmonious look.