FASHIONISTAS have been snapping up tickets for the first retrospective exhibition of the late, great French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, after hundreds sold on the first day.

The Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, has been selected to host Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal – the first comprehensive display of the French designer’s work in the UK since his death in 2008.

Laurent is remembered for his haute couture collection which paid tribute to famous artists, such as Diaghilev, Picasso, Matisse, Cocteau, Braque and Van Gogh but he also wanted to dress all women and opened his first ready-to-wear boutique in 1966.

The exhibition is a major coup for the County Durham museum with American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, designer Vivienne Westwood, French actress Catherine Deneuve and James Bond actor Daniel Craig being just some of the celebrities rumoured to be on the guest list for the gala opening on Friday, July 9.

The museum itself attracts about 150,000 visitors a year and has gained a reputation for fashion with past exhibitions of work by Vivienne Westwood, Stephen Jones, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Prada and Gucci attracting large numbers.

Organisers confirmed several hundred tickets for the exhibition had been sold on the first day alone, with timed admission slots being planned in an attempt to cope with the demand.

Pierre Bergé, president of the Foundation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, previously said the museum, which was built as a French chateau, was the “natural destination” for the exhibition given its “exceptional” work with fashion and textiles.

It will present 50 iconic garments including the Mondrian Dresses and the Tuxedo, complemented by more than 200 stunning accessories.

Richard Welsby, the museum’s head of finance and marketing, said: “Interest in the Yves Saint Laurent exhibition is extremely high, and this is now translating into advance ticket sales.

“We would definitely advise people to book ahead when planning their visit, especially if they want to see the exhibition on a particular day, in order to avoid disappointment.”

The exhibition will run from July 11 to October 25.

Tickets, which range from £14 for adults and £6 for students, are available via ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.co.uk/venueartist/453005/2106877 or by calling 0844-8440444.

Full access to the rest of the museum for the day will also be included in the ticket price and Friends of The Bowes Museum will be admitted for free.

For information about the museum visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk