Saint Laurent has unveiled a new bookstore and record store on Paris’ Left Bank, marking another innovative venture by the French fashion house. Located at 9 Rue de Grenelle, the unique space echoes the architectural elegance of the flagship store on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, with an array of marble shelves and metal seating by Donald Judd in a minimalist, raw setting.
Formerly home to Saint Laurent’s fashion and leather goods, the Rue de Grenelle space has quietly become a hub for bibliophiles and music lovers under the moniker “Saint Laurent Babylone.” The store’s layout, reminiscent of both a contemporary art gallery and a private study, features a curated selection of rare books, out-of-print records and magazines, all hand-picked by Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello.
The selection includes titles from the Saint Laurent Rive Droite Editions, a project launched in 2019 to bridge the worlds of fashion, art, and literature. Collaborations with artists such as Jeanloup Sieff, Cai Guo-Qiang, and Daidō Moriyama have resulted in exclusive publications, alongside books celebrating partnerships with Betty Catroux, Gray Sorrenti, and other luminaries.
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Not only a haven for rare and out-of-print works, ”Saint Laurent Babylone” also offers an eclectic mix of items, including Leica cameras, brass skull sculptures, and signature YSL merchandise such as pens and lighters. In a nod to Valentine’s Day, the store features gourmet chocolates created with pastry chef François Daubinet, presenting a minimalist yet indulgent hazelnut bar.
The cultural appeal of ”Saint Laurent Babylone” is further enhanced by its art offerings, with black-and-white photographs by Rose Finn-Kelcey and Juergen Teller, the latter of whom is expected to grace the store with a book signing. This initiative is part of a broader cultural program that includes readings and DJ sets, and demonstrates Vaccarello’s ambition to expand Saint Laurent’s cultural footprint beyond fashion.
Saint Laurent‘s commitment to intertwining fashion with other creative disciplines is evident in its recent endeavors, including the launch of a film production company and participation in the Cannes Film Festival. The brand’s connection to art and design is deeply rooted in its history, as evidenced by its reference to Rue Babylone, where Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé lived and curated an extensive art collection.
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