Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent one of the last centuries greatest fashion designers was born in August of 1936 in Algeria
. YSL began his career when he left home at the age of 17 and went to work for the House of Christian Dior. In 1957 when Christian Dior died a then very young 21 year YSL was put in charge of the company and was asked to save the company from financial ruin.
After he achieved much success with the Hoiuse of Dior, he was drafted into the military to fight in the war for Algerian Independence. He was not in the military very long when he had to eave because of his fragile mental condition. After leaving the military he was committed to a mental health hospital where he was diagnosed as having a nervous breakdown and was treated for it.
YSL was asked to leave Dior because of the nervous breakdown . When he was feeling better he decided to start his own company under the name YSL., Yves Saint-Laurent. The company received financial aid from his good friend and companion Pierre Berge. In 1976 the pair split as a couple but continued as business partners.
In the 60's and 70's the company headed by YSL be notorious for the mens and womens safari jacket, and many of the so called Beatnik looks. He established he look of ti ght pants and tall thigh high boots. They also fashioned the Smoking Suit which became a tuxedo for women.
His clothes spanned the 20's 30's and the 40's. In 1966 he opened his boutique Rive Gauche where is goal was to popularize fashion in a democratic manner. YSL also was given credit for being one of the only designers to use Black Models on the runway.
One of his claim to fame was he used high profile names to wear his clothes. By doing this his collections became very desired among the Euopeon fashion elite and the upper class.
In 1999 the company was purchased by Gucci and Tom Ford was hired to design the ready to wear collection and YSL was the designer for the Haute Couture Collection which was much more expensive. YSL created a modern elegance that is now thought in the same light as Houses such as Chanel and Dior. Along with the clothing line YSL has grown to include fragrances, handbags and accessories. Because of the lines success and the success of the brand there now are YSL boutiques around the world in major cities.
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