In Marrakech, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum is offering an unexpected and deeply personal glimpse into the legendary designer’s life with an exhibition devoted entirely to his relationship with his dogs. Conceived by curator Martin Bethenod, the show explores the emotional and artistic bond between Saint Laurent and his canine companions—a connection that shaped both his private world and creative output. The exhibition is open to the public until September 29, 2026.
“I’m what you’d call a dog person,” Saint Laurent once said—a remark that perfectly captured his lifelong attachment to his pets. More than just animals, his dogs were constant presences in his daily life, offering comfort, companionship, and quiet inspiration. The exhibition unfolds this relationship through a delicate and thoughtful presentation that includes rare documents, candid photographs, and original sketches. It traces the story from his childhood in Algeria all the way to the backstage bustle of his famed Paris fashion house.
Among the most memorable of his dogs were the chihuahuas named Hazel, who embodied an unapologetic sense of glamour. Equally iconic were his four successive French bulldogs, all named Moujik. With their calm and steady presence, they stood by him through creative highs and personal lows, offering emotional grounding in a world of constant reinvention.
But this isn’t just a nostalgic tribute. The exhibition delves into the symbolic dimension of dogs in Saint Laurent’s aesthetic universe. The chihuahua, for example, becomes a cultural reference point—a nod to the provocative and the transgressive. It evokes icons like Marlene Dietrich, the inspiration behind the designer’s first women’s tuxedo, and figures such as Coccinelle, the trailblazing transgender performer, or Jayne Mansfield, the embodiment of over-the-top Hollywood excess. Through these layered references, the exhibition draws rich connections between fashion, pop culture, and the broader currents of art history.
Works by Andy Warhol and David Hockney, including dog portraits, appear alongside the famous “LOVE” greeting cards illustrated with Moujik’s image, as well as photographs by Horst P. Horst, Bettina Rheims, and members of the Boulat family. Collectively, these works show how the figure of the dog came to reflect, and even merge with, the designer’s own identity.
This exhibition is part of the “Amigos Forever” collection by Norma Editions, a series dedicated to exploring the special bond between major artists and the dogs who shaped their lives. Blending artistic insight, gentle humor, and documentary precision, the show opens a new window into the inner world of Yves Saint Laurent—one in which elegance, emotion, and affection come together in unexpected harmony.
