Against a backdrop of sprawling lawns, manicured trees, and bubbling fountains reside some of the most admired artists of our time. Picasso, Degas, and Manet, all coexist under the roof of the modern de Young Museum. Among these distinguished artists is a newcomer who is arguably just as influential and revered as these aforementioned geniuses, but who expressed his genius through a different medium: fashion.

After 55 years of working in the fashion industry and reaching iconic stature, Yves Saint Laurent and his prolific body of work are being celebrated at San Francisco’s de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, through April 5th. The exhibit offers an eclectic collection of Laurent’s most influential designs, from the beginning of his career at 17 until his death in June 2008.

The Van Gogh-inspired sequined sunflower jacket, the African tribal designs, and the iconic trapeze shift show the scope and breadth of inspiration that Laurent expressed in his creations. The famous woman’s tuxedo, the safari dress, the jumpsuit, and the sheer blouse all make an appearance in the showcase.

His influences were ubiquitous. Throughout the exhibit, descriptions on the wall introduced each section of the show by explaining his vision and his method for creation. Yves Saint Laurent’s main concern and inspiration were women. He listened to what they wanted.

Although he did not travel very much, Saint Laurent used the images that he envisioned in his head to inspire his work. He was raised in Algeria and kept homes in Marrakech and Paris. These locations afforded Saint Laurent enough material to allow his imagination to run wild.

The show, which debuted in Montreal’s Musée des Beaux-Arts, includes over 120 pieces on loan from the Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. Bergé, Saint Laurent’s long-time business partner and friend, attended the museum opening and spoke with LA Times reporter Booth Moore.

“So many designers stay in their ivory towers, but Yves Saint Laurent helped women,” said Bergé. “Saint Laurent thought that if you took the male garment and you passed it to the women’s shoulders, you pass the power from men to women.”

Yves Saint Laurent started his career when he moved to Paris at the age of 17, leaving his home in Oran, Algeria. He was quickly published in French Vogue after director Michel de Brunhoff saw his work. Following a stint in fashion school, Saint Laurent met established designer Christian Dior. He worked with the label until Dior’s death in 1957. Saint Laurent then took over as art director for the design house until he started his own house with Bergé in 1962.

Thirty years later, Saint Laurent showed his last ready-to-wear collection for his Rive Gauche label. In 2002, the designer bid a tearful goodbye as he closed his haute couture line, marking his retirement.

While Saint Laurent was one of the most dominant designers of the 20th century, some people were surprised that the show traveled to San Francisco rather than to one of the other major fashion capitals. The de Young has hosted fashion exhibits in the past (“Vivienne Westwood: 36 years in Fashion in 2007”), but none has received as much acclaim as Yves Saint Laurent.

Moore finds it fitting that the exhibit be in San Francisco because it was a “hotbed of revolution in the 1960’s, and Saint Laurent was a fashion revolutionary, challenging gender roles.” The connection between the two is relevant but Moore’s view is not widespread.

“I was very pleased but surprised to see the exhibit come here to San Francisco,” said Yves Saint Laurent fan, Melanie Oatman. “Knowing that the exhibit would only stop in one US city, I thought I was going to miss it because it would be in New York or another Fashion center.”

Her sister, Melissa, said that Melanie had been to the exhibit three times. It may have been an unexpected choice, but San Franciscans are responding positively. Melissa is already looking forward to her second visit.

San Francisco may not be a leader in the fashion industry, but people are trying to move the sophisticated city in that direction. The Innovative Fashion Council of San Francisco, a not-for-profit organization started by Bay Area native Yetunde Schuhmann, is looking to explore San Francisco’s potential on the Fashion front. Their goal is to create a vibrant fashion community based on the idea of sustainability.

Schuhmann became interested in Fashion after working in the beauty industry and realizing the plight of many of her designer-friends. Said Schuhmann, “Designers need help financially in this city so I decided to make a proposal to the city to create a resource center for designers within the Fashion community.”

Her proposal was well received, and the Council was born. Today, the IFCSF’s main goal is to merge Fashion and sustainability. “San Francisco has to develop in its own way and ‘sustainability’ is our niche,” Schuhmann added.

Although the IFCSF is only about two years old, they are enjoying success, thanks to a great deal of support. Along with its success, the Council does experience some financial problems. The Council’s main challenge is with funding. In order to respond to the needs of designers, the Council is seeking different patrons to sponsor the designers.

“Designers and Fashion supporters are excited about having a community that is conducive to success in Fashion in the Bay Area,” Schuhmann said.

The Council was not involved with the production of the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit, but Schuhmann believes that San Francisco’s continued exposure to the fashion world will encourage the possibility of synergy between several entities.

According to an interview on the Council’s blog, influential fashion expert Hamish Bowles, the European editor-at-large for American Vogue, visited and supported the exhibit. He was impressed to see the promise that San Francisco shows in the Fashion realm. The Oatman sisters agreed that having the exhibit here in San Francisco allows for increased awareness of the Fashion community.

“The one exciting thing about the city is that it really has an incredible spell,” Bowles said. “I very much want to come back and explore it in greater depth and detail.”