Yves Saint Laurent has passed away on June 1, 2008.
He was born in 1936 in Oran, Algeria. After winning first prize in the International Wool Secretariat contest for his asymetrical cocktail dress in 1954, Saint Laurent immediately went to work for Christian Dior. Saint Laurent became Haute Couture designer when Dior died in 1958. Saint Laurent completed a total of six collections for the house of Dior, beginning with the highly successful Trapeze collection.
He opened his own couture house, YSL, in 1962.
The Riv Gauche boutiques for women were established in 1966, and menswear was added in 1974. His muse was Catherine Deneuve for many years.
He frequently used ethnic themes in his garments, as well as bright colors contrasted with black. His day clothes have a slightly masculine flavor, while his luxurious evening wear is tinged with fantasy. He is famous for "Le Smoking" tuxedo jacket, see-through blouses (1968), peasant blouses, bolero jackets, pantsuits, and smocks.
In July 1965, Yves Saint Laurent unveils the infamous Mondrian haute couture fall-winter '65/'66 collection.
In Summer 1966, Saint Laurent was the first couturier to show his Haute Couture show live on the internet.
The fashion world will miss him greatly.
