FASHONISTAS are set to abandon the haute couture capital of London and instead head 255 miles north....to Barnard Castle.

For the town's Bowes Museum has been selected to host the first retrospective exhibition of the late great French designer Yves St Laurent

American Vogue editor Anna Wintour, designer Vivienne Westood, French actress Catherine Deneuve and James Bond actor Daniel Craig together with his actress wife Rachel Weisz are just some of the celebrities rumoured to be on the guest list for the gala opening on Friday, July 9.

To host Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal - the first comprehensive display of the French designer’s work in the UK since his 2008 death - is a major coup for the County Durham museum.

Laurent’s creations have graced catwalks for decades and exhibitions of this scale are normally held in such lofty institutions as London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

Joanna Hashagen, fashion curator at The Bowes Museum, described it as a great moment in the history of the museum, which attracts about 150,000 visitors a year.

“We are honoured to host the first exhibition in the UK of Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most influential fashion designers of all time,” she said.

“We are also thrilled to work, alongside the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, on an innovative display that will introduce a dialogue between the designer’s body of work and The Bowes Museum’s collection.”

The Bowes Museum has gained a reputation for fashion in recent years, with past exhibitions of work by Vivienne Westwood, Stephen Jones, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Prada and Gucci attracting large numbers.

Pierre Bergé, president of the Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent, said: “The Bowes Museum is a natural destination given its exceptional work with fashion and textiles; the museum and its location also clearly reflects Yves Saint Laurent’s and my own passion for inspiring, timeless places.

“It is the perfect setting for us – a museum built as a French chateau, in the age of the Second Empire.”

Laurent headed up Christian Dior from 1950 to 1960 as creative director, before launching his own fashion house with partner, Bergé, who managed the business.

In the early years the designer defined a new style which composed the quintessential elements of a modern woman’s wardrobe, including the iconic tuxedo, trench coat, safari jacket and jumpsuit.

Passionate about the arts, Laurent’s haute couture collection, some of which will be displayed at the museum, paid tribute to famous artists, such as Diaghilev, Picasso, Matisse, Cocteau, Braque and Van Gogh.

However, he was not solely interested in couture clientele; he wanted to dress all women and opened his first ready-to-wear boutique in 1966.

The exhibition, which runs from July 11 to October 25, will articulate this concept by presenting 50 iconic garments, exploring key themes, influences and eras.

For more information visit bowesmuseum.org.uk