I’m going to be open from the outset. Fashion isn’t really my thing. Give me gadgets, give me sport. But a fashion exhibition isn’t something I’m naturally drawn to.
So let’s just say it was more the offer of a night at five-star Seaham Hall, near Newcastle, that initially caught my eye, not the exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent’s finest work… Sacrilege, I know.
Our decision to drive the lengthy journey from Aberdeen was one I started to regret by the time we reached the Scottish borders. With a train station not far from the hotel, it’s definitely the best option.
On arrival, sculpted pillars and immaculate white facade ooze grand Georgian country house. But then, there’s also a real touch of ‘cool’ to Seaham Hall.
The striking whirlpool tank in the drive, where you’d normally expect some kind of ornate fountain, is certainly the one bit of ‘cool’ guests won’t forget.
Our junior suite room was tucked away at the end of a corridor on the first floor, it felt secluded – a good start. Inside didn’t disappoint.
The bedroom had floor-to-ceiling Georgian windows the whole way round, providing sweeping sea views.
Pair that with a king-size bed, super-cool decor and massive bathroom, our room now felt exclusive – just what you expect from a five-star hotel. But we didn’t have long to take it all in, Yves Saint Laurent was calling us.
Reluctantly, we got back in the car for the 50-minute journey to Bowes Museum in the small, bustling market town of Barnard Castle.
Now, if I was impressed by the grand exterior of Seaham Hall, then I was stunned by The Bowes Museum.
These three words might just do it justice; spectacular, unexpected, imposing.
We were greeted inside by passionate curator Joanna Hashagen, who walked us through the exhibit that she had poured the last nine months of her life into.
Now, as I said before, I wasn’t excited by this part of the trip. I’d obviously heard of Yves Saint Laurent – mostly from airport duty free.
But I left The Bowes Museum a changed man.
Joanna and her team have brought as much style and substance to their exhibition as YSL brought to his clothing.
It panders to both the intricacies expected by a lover of his work through to the basic introduction required for someone like, well, me.
And whilst the original clothing ranges and pictures delving into his life are interesting, the bit that amazed me were the original sketches for his designs.
Alongside each garment are pages from YSL’s sketchbook. His hand-drawn, first draft versions of the outfits, coupled with a cutting of the fabric stapled to the paper, gave fascinating insight into his work – a meticulous DIY approach that I could really identify with.
We journeyed back to Seaham Hall (if you pay full whack, they will organise a helicopter flight to and from the exhibition – sadly this was not on our itinerary…)
After enjoying a glass of champagne in our room with the sea view, we headed down for dinner.
Seaham Hall has once again tried to meld cool into Georgian style, with dim lighting and electro music. Whether or not it works in their dining room is down to individual taste. But the service was excellent and the food good.
Breakfast the next morning was lovely, the dining room transformed from the night before into the setting of a tranquil English country house.
Then it was to the bit my partner had really been looking forward to – the spa. A long, curving connecting tunnel of trickling water and soothing scents between the hotel and the spa set the scene for a day of relaxation.
We’ve been on spa breaks up and down the country, and Seaham Hall’s laid-back, uncrowded series of hydropools, saunas and steam rooms are some of the best we’ve experienced. After our treatments, we finished off our stay with a delicious afternoon tea – plates stacked with scones, cakes and treats.
Then it was back on the road again, feeling pampered and with a new outlook on fashion.
THE LAURENT PACKAGE
The full luxurious Laurent package comes in at a healthy £4,000. And this is what a couple can get:
Concierge transfers to and from train station/airport
Two-night stay in an executive suite or penthouse including a full English breakfast
Taittinger Champagne in your room for arrival
Afternoon tea served on the terrace
Three-course market menu dinner on the first evening
A la carte dinner plus wine on the second evening
50-minute spa treatment per person – either a Serenity Wellbeing Massage or a Skin Specific Facial
Helicopter transfers to The Bowes Museum to enjoy a private curated tour of the YSL Exhibition
Full use of Serenity Spa from noon on day of arrival until noon on day of departure
Tickets to the exhibition
There are YSL packages to cater for most budgets at Seaham Hall – call 0191 516 1400 for bookings and more information. www.seaham-hall.co.uk
THE EXHIBITION
Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal is the first exhibition in the UK to present a comprehensive display of the French fashion designer’s work and life.
The YSL show highlights the defining elements of his vision, his influence and the impact he has had on the way the world understands womenswear.
“Fashion fades, style is eternal” Yves Saint Laurent once said. Articulating this idea, the exhibition presents 50 garments including some iconic pieces from the Russian Collection, the Mondrian dresses and the Tuxedo.
The show explores a number of themes, from art, lace and transparency, and masculine-feminine as well as featuring the different eras and styles of his creative career.
The exhibition is running at The Bowes Museum until October 25.
http://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/
