Yves Saint Laurent | |
---|---|
Born | Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent 1 August 1936 |
Died | 1 June 2008 Paris, France | (aged 71)
Education | Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture |
Occupation | Fashion designer |
Label | Yves Saint Laurent |
Partner | Pierre Bergé |
Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent (1 August 1936 – 1 June 2008),[1] better known as Yves Saint Laurent (/ˌiːv ˌsæ̃ lɔːˈrɒ̃/, also UK: /- lɒˈ-/, US: /- loʊˈ-/, French: [iv sɛ̃ lɔʁɑ̃] ) or YSL, was a French fashion designer who, in 1962, founded his eponymous fashion label. He is regarded as being among the foremost fashion designers of the twentieth century.[2]
He developed his style to accommodate the changes in fashion during that period. He approached his aesthetic from a different perspective by helping women find confidence by looking both comfortable and elegant at the same time. He is also credited with having introduced the "Le Smoking" tuxedo suit for women and was known for his use of non-European cultural references and of diverse models.[3] Historian Caroline Milbank wrote, "The most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years, Yves Saint Laurent can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from its 1960s ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable."[4]