The upcoming expo ‘Silks & Prints from Abraham – Couture in Colour’ not only tells the story of the legendary Swiss Abraham company and that of European couture, art and luxury throughout the 20th century. It also reflects on the person of Gustav Zumsteg (director of Abraham during the 1930s) and how he became a key figure in manufacturing textiles for haute couture.
Zumsteg was friend and collaborator to the haute couture designers like Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Cristobal Balenciaga and an intimate of Yves Saint Laurent. He considered his friendship with Saint Laurent a “coup de foudre” with a shared love for books, art and music. Their closeness did intensify the design process and their collaborations were always inventive and original.
Yves Saint Laurent upon Zumsteg’s death: “Gustav Zumsteg was my ally, my friend and my collaborator for some 45 years, I used his fabric in my most beautiful dresses. His talent was a never-ending source of inspiration. I owe him many unforgettable moments.”