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6. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)
Haute Couture (founded in 1962-2002)
| Yves St. Laurent
founded his couture house in 1962 aged only 25 at the time. Born in Oran
in Algeria in 1936 he is the epitome of the French Bongouts. Prior to being
hired by Christian Dior at the age of 19 as an assistant, he studies at
the haute couture school run by the 'Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne'
aged 17. When Christian Dior dies suddenly in 1957 Saint Laurent is appointed
art director and becomes head of the world's largest couture house at the
age of 21. In the long run though, Yves Saint Laurent's revolutionary "Beat
Look" and dramatic designs are not conservative enough for the House of
Dior. Therefore, Saint Laurent decides to set up his own fashion house
together with business partner Pierre Bergé. In 1962, the first
collection is presented. |
© YSL Haute Couture
Autumn-Winter 2000/1
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© YSL Haute Couture
Autumn-Winter 2000/1
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In 1966, Yves
Saint Laurent is the first couturier to open a Pret-à-Porter boutique
outside of his main couture house. The collection is called 'Saint Laurent
Rive Gauche'. 1966 is also the year Saint Laurent presents his first dinner
jacket (smoking) for women. He is generally credited with establishing
the trouser suit in women's fashion. YSL designs Catherine Deneuve's dresses
in Luis Bunuel's film 'La Belle du Jour' (the Beauty of the Day). Also
others such as Jeanne Moreau, Claudia Cardinale, Sophia Lauren and Gérard
Depardieu value YSL's designs who has been immortalized by Andy Warhol.
The house of Yves Saint Laurent is owned by Gucci/PPR. American Tom Ford
(born in 1962) is chief designer together with Carine Roitfeld, but Yves
St. Laurent was still responsible for best - his Haute Couture until autumn
2002, when he sadly closed the doors of the legendary address in 5 avenue
Marceau. |
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