Saint Laurent revisits Marcel Proust with a film series

Saint Laurent, under the artistic direction of Anthony Vaccarello, unveils As Time Goes By, a series of short films inspired by Marcel Proust’s monumental work À la recherche du temps perdu. An encounter between literature, cinema and haute couture.

A visual interpretation by Nadia Lee Cohen

Anthony Vaccarello, true to his love of cinema, reinvents Marcel Proust ‘s timeless themes in a series of six short films. Directed by the talented Nadia Lee Cohen, this work highlights the writer’s central themes: love, memory, desire, time and human relationships.

In this trailer, unveiled on November 20, 2024, viewers plunge into a visually arresting universe, populated by characters embodying Proustian sentiments. Charlotte Gainsbourg, as a contemplative writer, personifies memory, while Joey King embodies a secret desire in the role of a chambermaid. Addison Rae sings on stage, Chloë Sevigny navigates between awkwardness and bursts of life, and John Waters lends his features to an enigmatic valet.

A tribute to Proust and Yves Saint Laurent

The series explores the fragmentary, non-linear structure of Marcel Proust’s work. As in the seven volumes of À la recherche du temps perdu, the scenes in these films follow one another without strict narrative logic. Through visual reminiscences and micro-dramas, each tableau evokes a timeless universe, where pretense fuels subtle plots.

This initiative is also a tribute to Yves Saint Laurent, a great admirer of Proust, who considered this literary masterpiece a major source of inspiration. In creating this cinematic work, Anthony Vaccarello reaffirms the brand’s identity at the crossroads of art and elegance.

A bold cinematic foray

Since taking the helm in 2016, Anthony Vaccarello has made Saint Laurent a key player in the world of cinema. In 2023, the house launched its own production subsidiary, with three films already presented at the Cannes Film Festival. As Time Goes By is part of this desire to merge fashion and cinema, while showcasing haute couture creations in a sophisticated narrative context.

Between memory and eternity

Narrated by Charlotte Gainsbourg‘s haunting voice, the trailer offers a glimpse into the dialogue between past and present, memory and modernity. Through these short films, Saint Laurent demonstrates its ability to capture eternity in trivial moments, while highlighting the timeless elegance of its creations.

Also worth reading: Loïc Prigent, his latest book on the history of fashion.