Record-breaking YSL art auction shrugs off crisis

Record-breaking YSL art auction shrugs off crisis

PARIS (Reuters) - The auction of Yves Saint Laurent's monumental art collection ended on Wednesday having broken a string of records, defied the Chinese government and raised more than 370 million euros ($470 million).
The late fashion designer's collection, built up over five decades with his partner Pierre Berge, had been described as one of the most important in private hands and the auction attracted interest from collectors and spectators all over the world.
The final total of 373.5 million euros broke estimates of 300 million euros but Berge, who is donating the proceeds to charity and medical research, said he was not surprised by the sale's success even in the worst global recession for decades.


YSL auction fetches record price
(01:49) Report Reuters Video

Feb 24 - An art collection by late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent defied the financial crisis, breaking world records by raising over 206 million euros, 262 million USD on its opening day.
The sale of two bronze sculptures in the YSL collection - originally looted 150 years ago by British and French troops - have been the subject of a Paris court case, after Chinese officials pleaded for them not to be auctioned by owner Pierre Berge, the former partner of late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.