YSL Muse Danielle Luquet de Saint Germain s Couture Collection

[Hamish Bowles] It was really, really, really exciting

seeing that transparent ostrich feather dress,

I have to say.

You had full bosom exposure

which was really something quite breathtaking.

I am Hamish Bowles,

international editor at large for Vogue magazine.

I travel the world seeking out the most singular pieces

to add to my couture collection.

A collection which I ve spent nearly a lifetime assembling.

If it s out there I ll find it on Vintage Bowles.

I m about to look at some pieces from the collection

of Danielle Luquet de Saint Germain.

She was a house model at Saint-Laurent Couture in the 60s.

She really represented a kind of sexualized

modern 60s woman that was very, very different

from the kind of mannequins

that he d been working with at Dior.

There was an exhibition of her work in Switzerland

and I remember seeing the catalogue

and being kind of dazzled by the pieces.

I m really excited to see the clothes.

So good to see you again.

How are you?

[Francoise Sternbach] (speaking in French)

[Hamish Bowles] Already I recognize this dress.

[Francoise Sternbach] (speaking in French)

[Hamish Bowles] That s so exciting,

it s such an iconic piece of fashion history.

Inured as we are to transparency on the runways

I think it s still a little bit startling today,

certainly in the context of a couture show.

She really had fabulous things, my god.

[Francoise Sternbach] (speaking in French)

[Hamish Bowles] Yes, she continued her passion for fashion

working with young designers including Mugler,

Montana, Alaia, and later Lacroix.

You know the collection s sort of a revelation to me

I must say really astonishing pieces.

These are such iconic things

that I think there d be a lot of museum interest,

that s always a little bit daunting.

(overlapping voices)

[Hamish Bowles] There was a really great Saint-Laurent

from the Picasso collection,

that kind of iconic Cubist face

embroidered I think by Lesage.

This looks like it s never been worn.

[Antoine Saulnier] (speaking in French)

[Hamish Bowles] I kind of love this

with the sort of plain in the front

and then you have a kind of motorbike leather.

[Antoine Saulnier] (speaking in French)

[Hamish Bowles] Everything has all its accessories,

its belts, shoes, everything.

Because there are 10,000 pieces all together

there s going to be a series of sales

and the first one is going to be a selection of highlights

representing all the designers

that she had an interest in collecting.

Which is Remi Agile, as well as Lacroix and Montana.

So many iconic pieces of Saint-Laurent.

I d better start saving.