Mondrian’s Dress

The infamous 1965 Mondrian dresses by Yves Saint Laurent are well-known and highly regarded in the twentieth century, but their origins go beyond what initially meets the eye. In Mondrian’s Dress, Nancy J. Troy and Ann Marguerite Tartsinis present a unique perspective on the relationship between Piet Mondrian's paintings and Saint Laurent's couture by revealing the intense commercialization and commodification these pieces underwent in the 1960s. The authors position Saint Laurent's fashion empire alongside Pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Tom Wesselmann, showing how the widespread popularity of Mondrian's signature style transformed traditional perceptions of his avant-garde abstractions.

Mondrian's Dress is the first comprehensive analysis of Yves Saint Laurent's incorporation of 1960s fashion, Pop art, and consumer culture. It offers expert insights into his collaboration with partner Pierre Berge and the significant impact of photography on the marketing of couture during this era. This groundbreaking book critically examines Saint Laurent's so-called dialogue with art and the extraordinary art collection he curated.

Author Nancy J. Troy, Ph.D. will present a lecture at the Norfolk Society of Arts annual luncheon on May 5, 2025