Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent: history & brand profile

Brand profile · Luxury Brands Online editorial team

Yves Mathieu Saint Laurent was born on August 1, 1936, in Algeria, to Charles Saint-Laurent and Lucienne Mathieu. By merely 1953, he had already won a first prize award for a black cocktail dress he had designed. Two years later, he moved to Paris in order to attend school, and his sketches garnered interest and approval from many, including Christian Dior. At the early age of 17, he had already begun working for the amazing and talented Christian Dior, and played an indispensable role in the progression of the House of Dior. His designs for Dior won him much approval, but only two years into his new job opportunity, he was named head of the House of Dior as Christian Dior suddenly passed away from a stroke. After Dior’s death, the young man was left in charge of the Dior house financially. His first collection is introduced in 1958, labeled the “trapeze” look. In 1961, Yves Saint Laurent finally opens his own house with Pierre Berge, after working for Dior. The first collection he presents under his own name and not under Dior’s, appears in 1962. This same year, he opens his own couture house and finally establishes his dream in fashion design. 1966 was a very successful and busy year for Yves Saint Laurent; he was the first designer or courturier to be more precise, to display his Haute Couture show on the internet live. That same year, he decided against continuing to make big spectacular fashion shoes for his Pret-a-Porter collection, and instead, display his models to a selected few. During the Algerian War of Independence, he served in the French army, but after merely 20 days, he suffered from a nervous breakdown after being hazed by fellow soldiers, and was soon after hospitalized in a mental hospital, where he received treatments such as electroshock therapy. In 1971, he introduces the ‘40’s’ collection. In 1974, he moves his headquarters to Paris ’ fashion district, Avenue Marceau. In the same year, Yves Saint Laurent men’s wear was introduced. His fragrances for women and men include: Y, Opium, Pour Hommes, Champagne, (which would later become Ivresse), and several others.

Categories: Women's Fashion · Men's Fashion · Fragrance & Beauty · Handbags & Leather Goods.

The history above is the original luxurybrandsonline.com brand article, preserved. We have added current ownership and status, and flagged any dated claims, without changing the original wording.

Sources: Saint Laurent — official site; Encyclopædia Britannica — fashion houses & designers. Editorial reference only; we are not affiliated with these brands. See our sources & fact-check policy.

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