Yves Saint Laurent

The Designer Who Liberated Women's Fashion

creative business
Yves Saint Laurent

Net Worth

$500M

Born

August 1, 1936 (died age 72)

Country

Algeria

Occupation

Fashion Designer, Creative Director

Gender

male

Generation

Silent Generation

Marital Status

single

Children

0

Single Parent Household

No

Education

Self-Taught

Industries

creative, business

Wealth Category

multi-millionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Immigrant

Yes

Overcame

  • • Severely bullied as a child for being gay
  • • Suffered nervous breakdown during military service in 1960
  • • Struggled with depression and drug addiction throughout adult life
  • • Fired from Dior at age 24 after breakdown

Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer who revolutionized women's fashion by introducing masculine elements like tuxedos and trousers into womenswear. He founded the House of Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most celebrated fashion brands in history. Despite struggling with mental health and addiction throughout his life, he created an enduring legacy that transformed how women dress.

Career Timeline

1936

Born in Oran, French Algeria

1953 Age 17
Turning Point

Moved to Paris to pursue fashion career

1955 Age 19
Turning Point

Hired as assistant to Christian Dior

1957 Age 21
Milestone

Became head designer of Dior after Dior's sudden death

1958 Age 22
Achievement

First Dior collection 'Trapeze Line' was a sensation

1960 Age 24
Setback

Drafted into French army; suffered nervous breakdown and was fired from Dior

1961 Age 25
Milestone

Founded House of Yves Saint Laurent with partner Pierre Berge

1962 Age 26
Milestone

Presented first YSL collection

1966 Age 30
Milestone

Introduced 'Le Smoking' tuxedo for women, revolutionizing fashion

1966 Age 30
Milestone

Opened first Rive Gauche ready-to-wear boutique

1983 Age 47
Achievement

First living designer to have solo exhibition at Metropolitan Museum of Art

2002 Age 66
Turning Point

Retired from fashion with final haute couture show

2008 Age 71

Died in Paris from brain cancer

Notable Quotes

"Fashions fade, style is eternal."

— Interview, 1983

"I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant."

— Interview, 1985

"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it."

— Interview, 1978

"It is not the clothes that matter, it is the person wearing them."