“Dressing is a way of life”
“S'habiller est un mode de vie”
                             Yves Saint Laurent

On 1 June 2008, one of the greatest figures of French Haute Couture of the 20th century, Yves Saint Laurent, passed away. The Alliance Française pays a tribute to this most influential, unforgettable and outstanding couturier. All week, you can stroll and dream around the YSL exhibition displaying several original items such as tuxedos, jackets, bolero, jewellery, sketches & photos.

Tuesday 5 August
YSL conference
Val Horridge, UTS senior lecturer in fashion and textile design, will hold a 40 minute conference. "This talk will look at this shy designer who manages to take enormous risks and define women's fashion in a new way. Through the research of other cultures and development of his own style he brought a 'new language' to fashion". The talk will be followed by the screening of “The look” produced by the BBC.
AF Gallery 6pm All welcome!

Thursday 7 August
Celebration function
Around canapés and a glass of wine, you will enjoy the YSL exhibition and listen to those who have known or worked with the famous fashion designer. A make-up display will be organised by YSL Beauté. During this exciting evening, you will also watch an original video of a 1984 YSL fashion show video.
AF Gallery 6pm All welcome!
Sponsored by Château de Sours





"The best clothing for a woman is a man’s arms but for those who are lonely I am there"
Yves Saint Laurent

Thurs 14 Aug to Wed 3 Sept
“Celebrating Landscape” by Kari Hanet
This is Kari Hanet's first exhibition since returning to Australia last year. Deciding to go back to her roots in Paris in 1998, leaving her career in film, Kari also reconnected with her artistic practice. Working in soft pastels has meant a renewed exploration of her passion for landscape. Well received in France, her coastal and landscape works explore light and boundaries in French and Australian settings. In Normandy, it is the vast expanse of beach and sky and the ever-changing light that fascinate her, whereas in Australia she's intrigued by the fact that one only needs to look closely at trees, leaves, flowers and rocks to find a wealth of landscapes and shades of colour and texture.
Opening 14 Aug 6.30 - 8.30pm AF Gallery. No access to building after 7pm

With the Olympic Games in full swing, we would like to take this opportunity to run our own Games with our own winners- your participation as the gourmet/connaisseurs of the Alliance Française is paramount in determining which cheeses and wine will be awarded our Gold, Silver & Bronze medals. Get ready for a marathon evening of great tastings & entertainment!
We would like to thank David Haviland wine merchants, AOAP (Australia on a Plate) and CBD (Central Baking Depot) for their ongoing support.

AF Grand Cafe- 6.30pm
Booking essential.
$55 AF Members - $65 Non-members
No access to the building after 7pm

Wed 27 August
The Diving Bell & the Butterfly
DVD, an Icon film distribution The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is the remarkable true story of Bauby, a successful & charismatic editor-inchief of French Elle, who believes he is living his life to its absolute fullest when a sudden stroke leaves him in a life-altered state. While the physical challenges of Bauby's fate leave him with little hope for the future, he begins to discover how his life's passions, rich memories and newfound imagination can help him achieve a life without boundaries.

25 August - 6 September
"Because of you" by Marie Peter-Toltz
This exhibition features oil figure paintings that express the sensuality and beauty of the female figure, the intensity of the mother and child relationship, as well as expressionistic portraits of children. The public will be confronted by her evocative work, as well as captivated by the eyes of her figures that convey sadness, contemplation and melancholy.
Opening Wed 27 August from 6pm
Depot gallery, 2-6 Danks St, Waterloo

Thurs 4 September
Cinema Release “Welcome to the Sticks”
Dany Boon’s hilarious comedy “Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis” was released in France in February to become the biggest opener in French history. Post office manager Philippe Abrams (Merad) and his wife Julie (Felix) love the sunny South of France. But when Philippe gets caught trying to cheat his way into a transfer to a Riviera resort, the punishment could not be worse. Philippe must pay for his sins by spending three years at a post office in the dreaded Nord Pas de Calais, France's northernmost region, reputed for its heavy industry and cool climate...

Tuesday 2 September
Launch of “Ma Folie Française” (My French Folly) by Marisa Raoul
It has been described as “a vivacious contemporary tale of life, love and dreaming and as a sheer joy to read.” Certainly it is a celebration of all things French.
Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Rd- 6pm
Bookings: 02 9660 2333