FASHIONISTAS descended on County Durham tonight for the launch of the highly anticipated Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibition. 

There was perhaps no better place than the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, to feature the work of the late French fashion designer in what is the first major UK exhibition.

And the stunning French chateau-style building played its part perfectly as it highlighted the diverse influences of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), exploring several themes including art, transparency and women’s emancipation

Fifty garments representing different eras of his creative career, including some iconic pieces from the Russian Collection, the Mondrian Dresses and the Tuxedo, are precisely displayed while some of his personal drawings and sketches are carefully integrated alongside.

And fashionistas from around the world seemed only too eager to get the first glimpse of the exhibition when they descended in their dozens for the exclusive launch, which was also attended by Laurent’s former business partner, Pierre Bergé.

Monsieur Bergé, who is also president of the Fondation Pierre Bergé — committed to the promotion of YSL work internationally – said he was excited to be launching the exhibition in the region.

“I’m very happy to be here, I feel more or less like I’m in France, in the middle of the beautiful French countryside and the beautiful museum, especially for the occasion of the exhibition showing in England for the first time,” he said.

“It was a brilliant idea to show the retrospective Yves Saint Laurent exhibition here and I’m happy that many English people will come and see it.”

He was accompanied by the museum’s director, Adrian Jenkins and fashion curator, Joanna Hashagen who both said they were thrilled to have the exhibition at the museum.

Mr Jenkins said: “We are delighted to be hosting the first retrospective exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent in this part of the UK.

“We are aware that it’s raised a few eyebrows but I do think of it as a unique moment taking place in a market place town of 5,000 people - I do like to think we can still make the improbable a reality.”

He added: “I think this is an example that high art and culture can take place outside London and I think that’s very important.”

The exhibition will run from Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, October 25.

To buy tickets online, visit ticketmaster.co.uk and search for ‘The Bowes Museum.’ Alternatively, call 0844-8440444.