In Marrakech: The Intimate World of Yves Saint Laurent and His Dogs

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech has unveiled a remarkable new exhibition that offers an intimate lens into the life of one of fashion’s greatest couturiers. Yves Saint Laurent and His Dogs, curated by Martin Bethenod, opened on September 25, 2025, inviting visitors to step into the designer’s private world, where his lifelong love of dogs shaped both his personal life and his creative imagination.

A Designer and His Companions

“I am, as they say, a ‘dog person’.” With this simple confession, Yves Saint Laurent summarized a devotion that transcended companionship. From his early years in Algeria to his iconic Parisian couture house, dogs were ever-present in his universe. They were confidants, muses, and even emblems of his artistic vision.

The exhibition highlights these loyal figures, from the glamorous chihuahuas named Hazel to the dynasty of French bulldogs, all named Moujik, who became fixtures of Saint Laurent’s world. Archival photographs, sketches, and documents reveal how these animals offered comfort during moments of anxiety and, at the same time, inspired the fantasy behind his revolutionary work.

Between Glamour, Transgression, and Art

Beyond companionship, Saint Laurent’s dogs embodied cultural symbolism. The chihuahua, for example, emerges not just as a pet but as a marker of ambiguity and defiance—linked to icons such as Marlene Dietrich, Coccinelle, and Jayne Mansfield.

The exhibition also situates the Moujiks within art history. Saint Laurent’s famous LOVE greeting cards featured them prominently, while leading artists of the era immortalized them: Andy Warhol portrayed Moujik II in 1986, and David Hockney later painted Moujik IV. Works by Horst P. Horst, Pierre and Alexandra Boulat, and Bettina Rheims further underscore how dogs became inseparable from the Saint Laurent mythos.

A New Reading of Saint Laurent’s Legacy

Curated by Martin Bethenod, the exhibition forms part of the Amigos Forever collection, published by Norma Editions, which re-examines artists through their unique bond with their dogs. Blending humor, tenderness, and academic precision, Yves Saint Laurent and His Dogs provides a fresh interpretation of the couturier’s legacy, offering an unexpected yet poignant bridge between fashion, art, and popular culture.

Plan Your Visit

Opening Night: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Exhibition Dates: September 25, 2025 – September 29, 2026
Location: Photography Gallery, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, 40000 Marrakech

Step into Yves Saint Laurent’s canine pantheon, where glamour and transgression meet, and where art, fashion, and devotion converge in a singular celebration.