Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. Born as Henri Saint Laurent on August 1, 1936, in Oran, French Algeria, he later adopted his mother's maiden name to distinguish himself in the fashion world.
From a young age, Yves showed an interest in fashion, designing dresses for his sisters' dolls. His talent was recognized when he won the first prize at the International Wool Secretariat competition in 1954 at the age of 17. This victory led him to Paris where he was noticed by Michel de Brunhoff, editor of Vogue Paris, who introduced him to Christian Dior.
In 1955, Dior hired Yves as his assistant. After Dior's sudden death in 1957, Saint Laurent was named head designer of Christian Dior S.A. at the age of 21. His first collection, the Ligne Trapèze, was a success, establishing him as a major figure in fashion.
In 1961, after a brief military service and subsequent dismissal from Dior due to his health, Saint Laurent, along with his partner Pierre Bergé, founded Yves Saint Laurent S.A. Their first collection was launched in 1962 and introduced groundbreaking styles like the Beat Collection and the Mondrian dress.
Yves Saint Laurent retired in 2002, after which the brand was acquired by Gucci Group in 1999, now part of Kering. His influence on fashion continues to be felt through the enduring popularity of his designs and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris, which opened in 2017 to showcase his work.
Yves Saint Laurent passed away on June 1, 2008, in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy that redefined fashion and luxury.