On the runway at the Denver Art Museum gift shop: The spirit of Yves Saint Laurent

Just as you might be compelled to visit Yves Saint Laurent: A Retrospective again and again during its stay at the Denver Art Museum through July 8, you'll want to keep coming back to the gift shop, which is bursting with a sense of style inspired by the YSL couture on display upstairs. Think of it as a little buttercream topping the whole fancy cupcake -- and the chance to bring something home with you to remember it all by. "Last year, during Marvelous Mud, we sold pieces by some of the ceramic artists who showed work in the exhibit. It was a success on many levels -- including exposure for the artists -- and we used it as a template," says store manager Greg McKay. "During the YSL show, we'll be rotating work by local designers, and some of them will be in the shop on Friday nights to informally talk about their fashion inspirations," he continues. "YSL has given us the opportunity to do something we've not been able to do before, with fashion. It's a whole new aspect of what we can provide in the shop, as well as an introduction to local fashion talent." Merchandise includes couture to casual garments in a wide range of price points, as well as accessories, handbags, hats and hair ornaments, all made in Colorado, by Gabriel Conroy, Haley Mariah Gibbons, Mona Lucero, Gabriela Martinez, Stephanie Ohnmacht, Anne Fanganello, Rae Marie, Natalee Moldenhauer, Jessica Galbreath and Melissa May; Nicole Schaap of Creme de la Couture in Englewood will also offer changing displays of vintage YSL fashions from her store collection.

Expect constant change on the racks, McKay advises -- like the mercurial styles of YSL himself, the store's fashion merchandise will flip often. "It's good for the museum, good for the artists, and any time we can support locals, it's good for us, too," he adds. "There's excitement in the air...."

Of course, there's also lots of YSL mementos, cards and t-shirts, too. Visit the shop daily except Mondays during regular museum hours; visit the DAM website for details.

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