Yves Saint Laurent Overview

When fashion emperor Christian Dior died unexpectedly in 1957, the fashion world ground to a halt. Many wondered what would become of the legendary Dior label. Who could fill such immense shoes? Unbeknownst to many, Dior had already picked his successor:... [more]

When fashion emperor Christian Dior died unexpectedly in 1957, the fashion world ground to a halt. Many wondered what would become of the legendary Dior label. Who could fill such immense shoes? Unbeknownst to many, Dior had already picked his successor: a boy-wonder named Yves Saint Laurent. Saint Laurent implemented his own ideas and created controversy with styles that were unexpected and unconventional. Called to duty in the Algerian War, Saint Laurent returned to find that his place at Dior had been assumed by Marc Bohan. He took this freedom as an opportunity to strike out alone, and he swiftly became a legend in his own right. Yves Saint Laurent is a skilled craftsman and a consumate artist. Influenced by Dior, Saint Laurent was part of a movement that tried to rethink fashion without Couture. Considered to be one of the most important post-World War II designers, Saint Laurent adapted the male wardrobe to be worn by women. His fashions were perfectly suited to the more egalitarian era when women were moving out into the professional world. Yet he has not limited himself to blazers, trousers, and coats; Saint Laurent is a master of black velvet and has designed pieces with considerable softness and appreciation for the female form. Among Saint Laurent's most famous designs are the "smoking" (a long, tailored version of the smoking jacket), the woman's tuxedo, the sheath dress, and the black leather jacket. He introduced a new concept of glamour -- one in which women could dress in menswear without losing their femininity. As a set of famous photographs by Helmut Newton show, a woman wearing a Saint Laurent trouser suit could never be mistaken for a man. [show less]