London lovers of YSL – get saving for an expensive train. Yves Saint Laurent, who retired from fashion in 2002, is to have his life's work exhibited in the UK for the first time. The French designer's vision and influence is to be showcased in a three month-long exhibition called Style Is Eternal at the Bowes Museum in County Durham. 

The museum will show 50 items from a decades-long archive that revolutioned womenswear, including his Mondrian-inspired dresses and some pieces from the celebrated Russian Collection. After holding a role as creative director at Christian Dior from 1957 to 1960, Yves Saint Laurent launched his own fashion house with partner Pierre Bergé.

Bergé said: "It is extremely exciting to work on this first exhibition in the UK. The Bowes Museum is a natural destination given its exceptional work with fashion and textiles; the museum and its location also clearly reflects Yves Saint Laurent’s and my ownpassion for inspiring, timeless places. It is the perfect setting for us – a museum built as a French Chateau, in the age of the Second Empire."

Saint Laurent drew a lot of inspiration from the art world, namely figures such as Matisse, Van Gogh, Picasso and of course, Mondrian. The Bowes Museum will show the designer's homages to those that influenced his ascent to the top of haute couture, alongside other themes such as transparency and women's emancipation.

Style Is Eternal runs until October 25.

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