France

Yves Saint Laurent dies

Article published on the 2008-06-02 Latest update 2008-06-02 15:28 TU

Yves Saint Laurent presents his last collection in 2002 in Paris.
(Photo: AFP)

Yves Saint Laurent, the influential couturier who dominated the international fashion scene for 45 years, died Sunday night after a long illness. He was 71. Known as much for his rich and famous hobnobbing as for his designs, Saint Laurent rocketed to sartorial stardom in 1958 when he succeeded post-war designer Christian Dior.

Saint Laurent is known for having started many trends, including creating masculine tuxedo jackets for women and featuring trousers in many of his designs.

The Algerian-born French designer weathered the storms of fashion, as his designs remained popular even after high fashion metamorphosed from tailored designs to ready-to-wear casual clothes.

He shot to stardom in 1958 after he filled the big shoes of his predecessor, Christian Dior.

While at the house of Dior, Saint Laurent created the 'beatnik look' in 1960: a uniform of a black turtleneck and leather biker jacket. His couture fans hated it, but it became the staple of the avant garde.

The so-called 'boy wonder' opened his own couture house in 1962 after an acrimonious rift with Dior who did not rehire him when he returned from Algeria when he was conscripted into the French army. 

In his new role, Saint Laurent promoted trousers as an important staple in a woman's wardrobe, changing the look of fashion forever.

"I'm convinced women want to wear pants," he said.

Known for his luxe style, Saint Laurent knew the average woman wanted to dress with panache, but couldn't afford his high-end designs. He created his ready-to-wear 'Rive Gauche' line in 1966, sometimes very similar to his couture wares, but for one-tenth the price.

Saint Laurent's flair played out on the big screen as well, including creating costumes for his muse, Catherine Deneuve, in the 1967 Luis Bunuel film, Belle Du Jour.

He rubbed elbows with the women he clothed - movie stars, wives of heads of state, and the like - surrounding himself with glamour and beauty.

According to his business associate and long time lover, Pierre Bergé, he was also the first to employ black models.

His couture house and ready-to-wear line was bought and sold a number of times. By 2002, Saint Laurent had decided to retire.

Bergé said he would be buried on Friday.