Treat for fashion fans as Manchester Gallery of Costume opens Yves Saint Laurent show

Exhibition: Yves Saint Laurent: Designer In Focus, Platt Hall’s Gallery of Costume, Manchester, until December 31 2011

From the beatnik look to the female tuxedo, Yves Saint Laurent changed the fashion world and spawned a ready-to-wear dynasty shoppers still cherish to this day in the 1960s.

The Gallery of Costume, home to the largest collection of British clothing and international fashion, hosts 14 of the pioneering Parisian’s designs here.

Representing critical points in his career including the 1958 trapeze line, the 1965 Mondrian line (inspired by 1920s Dutch abstract art), the 1968 safari look and the 1976 Russian collection.

Many of them are recent additions to a collection the venue has had even more recent to showcase since it reopened in 2010 following a £1 million renovation.

More recent creations by successors Tom Ford and Stefano Pilati complement the ones from Saint Laurent, who died in 2008.

• Open Wednesday-Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm. Admission free.