Saint Laurent's Ode to Betty
Not everyone is fortunate enough to meet their soulmate – be it platonic or romantic – and get the chance to spend the rest of their lives in their presence. But for the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent? Luck seemed to be on his side till his very last breath.
In the ’60s, Yves was immediately enamoured with former Chanel model Betty Catroux when they first met in Parisian nightclub ‘Chez Régine’ and have been as thick as thieves ever since. Like two halves of a whole, Yves and Betty represented different parts of their shared soul that always seemed to bloom when they were together.
Even after his passing in 2008, Betty still shares a strong connection to Yves’ legacy through his brand to this day. Fashion aficionados everywhere know her as “the spirit of Saint Laurent,” the living and breathing manifestation of Yves’ fashion, rebelliousness, mystery, and modernity: The perfect archetype to everything the Maison stands for.
The current creative and artistic director of Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello, often turns to Betty’s wisdom to influence past, present and future collections for the house. “Betty embodies Saint Laurent without a need for long speeches. An allure, a mystery, an almost nefarious aspect, an elusive yet desirable nature, all that underlies the house’s aura and you understand the magnitude of it when you meet Betty,” pours Vaccarello, “She is the living proof that the house is forever timeless and dynamic.”
As it is Betty’s natural intuition that rivals that of Yves’, her thoughts truly allow the brand to design and elevate seasonal couture as if Yves himself created them. Her ties with the brand even led her to star in their #YSL15 Fall/Winter Campaign in 2018, where she was photographed by David Sims in monochromatic black and white wearing Saint Laurent’s Le Smoking jacket and a pair of sunglasses.
Before the pandemic hit, the house paid tribute to Betty with an exhibition titled ‘Feminine Singular’ in Paris. There, they showcased Betty’s personal collection of approximately fifty Saint Laurent pieces selected from each show that best represented her quintessential personality. This year, Saint Laurent brought the celebration to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai, China, where Betty’s exclusive pieces were featured till August.
With all she’s done for the Yves’ legacy, it is safe to say that Betty will always have a forever home forged in the house of Saint Laurent.
