Saint Laurent expands its universe with a bookshop in Paris

After establishing a foothold in publishing, music and cinema, through the creation in 2023 of the film production company Saint Laurent Productions, Saint Laurent is now getting into the book industry. Kering’s luxury house is inaugurating a bookshop called Saint Laurent Babylone in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. A new kind of cultural space, designed to broaden and nourish the brand’s universe through a cutting-edge selection of rare books, out-of-print records, photos and other objects.

To make this project happen, Saint Laurent transformed one if its seven shops in the capital into a bookshop. The store at 9, rue de Grenelle, was previously dedicated to the label’s ready-to-wear and accessories. The name refers to Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s historic connection with the Sèvres-Babylone district, subliminally reflecting the couple’s artistic lineage and the intellectual spirit of the area.
 
With this new shop, which aims to be “a new cultural destination and bookshop in the heart of Paris, dedicated to art, culture and new modes of expression,” the label is adding another link to the cultural universe that the brand and its creative director Anthony Vaccarello have been building around Saint Laurent for a number of years. This journey began with the opening of the Saint Laurent Rive Droite shop in the former premises of Colette, at 213 rue Saint-Honoré, already designed as “a creative and cultural destination”, where creations from all horizons can be found, including accessories, design, books, music and high-tech.

The event also saw the launch of the Saint Laurent Rive Droite collection of fine photography books, published by the brand through SLRD Editions, and on sale in the new space on rue de Grenelle. Also as part of its Saint Laurent Rive Droite project, in 2021 the label launched a music programme called “Live Sessions”, featuring sessions showcasing new musical waves.
 
As the label explains in a press release, “created by Anthony Vaccarello, this new incarnation of Saint Laurent Rive Droite offers a diverse and global collection of books, art and music, as well as a new kind of cultural space”. The range of books on offer has been selected by the designer, and includes rare books, volumes from SLRD Editions, as well as rare albums, ‘subversive publications, out-of-print music recordings and original productions’. The venue will also host events such as DJ sessions, readings and author signings.