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Yves Saint Laurent

French luxury fashion house

Yves Saint Laurent is a prestigious French luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. Known for revolutionizing women's fashion with iconic designs such as the tuxedo suit for women, the brand continues to be a symbol of elegance and sophistication in the fashion industry.

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Coco Chanel Louis Vuitton Givenchy Chanel Dior Balmain François-Henri Pinault LVMH Balenciaga L'Oréal

Timeline

Birth of Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent, born as Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint Laurent, was born on August 1, 1936 in Oran, Algeria.

Yves Saint Laurent wins a design contest

After moving to Paris and attending fashion school, Yves Saint Laurent won a design contest, which caught the attention of a Vogue executive.

Joining Christian Dior as a modelist assistant

In 1955, Yves Saint Laurent started his career by joining Christian Dior as a modelist assistant, marking the beginning of his influential journey in the fashion industry.

Christian Dior's death

On October 24, 1957, the iconic fashion designer Christian Dior passed away, leaving a significant impact on the fashion world.

Yves Saint Laurent becomes head designer at House of Dior

In 1958, Yves Saint Laurent became the head designer at the House of Dior at a young age. His innovative designs and creativity quickly garnered attention in the fashion world.

First collection by Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior

Yves Saint Laurent presents his first collection on January 30, featuring the innovative Trapèze line. This marks a significant turning point in the history of the House of Dior.

Yves Saint Laurent leaves Dior

In 1960, Yves Saint Laurent left Dior due to multiple reasons, including a nervous breakdown after induction into the French Army and losing his job after returning to Algeria. He was quickly replaced, leading to his departure from the fashion world.

Foundation of Yves Saint Laurent Fashion House

Following his departure from Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, along with his friend Pierre Bergé, established their own fashion house with financial backing from American billionaire J. Mack Robinson.

Yves Saint Laurent opens his own fashion house

In 1962, Yves Saint Laurent established his own fashion house after leaving the House of Dior. He quickly became one of the most influential designers in Paris, known for popularizing trousers for women and introducing innovative designs.

Release of Yves Saint Laurent's first perfume 'Y'

In 1964, Yves Saint Laurent released his first perfume named 'Y', expanding the brand's reach into the fragrance market.

YSL's Mondrian Cocktail Dress

In 1965, Yves Saint Laurent introduced the iconic Mondrian cocktail dress as part of his Autumn/Winter collection. The dress was inspired by Piet Mondrian's 1920s color compositions, marking a significant fusion of art and fashion.

Introduction of Le Smoking Tuxedo Suit

Yves Saint Laurent introduced the iconic Le Smoking tuxedo suit for women in 1966, challenging traditional gender norms and pioneering gender fluidity in fashion.

Creation of the pantsuit

In 1967, Yves Saint Laurent created the brand new pantsuit, revolutionizing women's fashion by incorporating traditionally masculine elements into women's clothing.

Introduction of the first jumpsuit

In 1968, Yves Saint Laurent introduced the first jumpsuit, a bold and innovative garment that challenged traditional notions of women's attire.

Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1970

Yves Saint Laurent's Haute Couture Autumn/Winter collection of 1970.

Libération collection by Yves Saint Laurent

In 1971, Yves Saint Laurent presented the 'Libération' collection, drawing inspiration from the 1940s. The collection was considered scandalous in Paris for its bold and unconventional approach to fashion.

First living designer honored with solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Yves Saint Laurent became the first living designer to receive a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1973, a testament to his significant impact on the fashion industry.

Split between Bergé and Saint Laurent

In 1976, Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent split amicably, with Bergé continuing as the CEO of the brand's Haute Couture division, marking a significant change in the leadership of the House of YSL.

Yves Saint Laurent, Anne-Marie Muñoz et Pierre Bergé dans le studio

Yves Saint Laurent, Anne-Marie Muñoz, and Pierre Bergé photographed in the studio at 5 avenue Marceau in 1977.

Introduction of Broad, Shoulder-Padded Style by YSL

Saint Laurent is credited with initiating the broad, shoulder-padded style in 1978, which became a defining characteristic of 1980s fashion.

Retrospective of Saint Laurent's designs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In 1983, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City showcased a retrospective exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent's designs, highlighting his significant contributions to the fashion industry.

African Queen collection by Yves Saint Laurent

In 1985, Yves Saint Laurent debuted the 'African Queen' collection, dedicated to his muse Iman. The collection showcased diversity on the runway by casting models like Katoucha Niane and Naomi Campbell.

Yves Saint Laurent devant les planches de collection d’un défilé, studio du 5 avenue Marceau, Paris

In 1986, Yves Saint Laurent showcased his collection at the studio on 5 avenue Marceau in Paris. The event featured a mix of old and new designs, reflecting the visionary style of Mr. Saint Laurent.

S/S collection celebrating Braque, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Matisse

In 1988, the brand's Spring/Summer collection paid tribute to renowned artists such as Braque, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Matisse, incorporating elements of their artworks into the garments.

Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1989

Yves Saint Laurent's Haute Couture Spring/Summer collection of 1989.

Le Smoking Suit in Haute Couture AW 1995

Model Audrey Marnay showcased the iconic Le Smoking suit for the Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1995 collection by Yves Saint Laurent. The suit continued to symbolize the fusion of feminine and masculine fashion aesthetics.

Kering Purchases YSL and Hires Tom Ford

In 1999, Kering purchased YSL and hired Tom Ford to design its ready-to-wear collection, while Yves Saint Laurent himself focused on designing the haute couture collection.

YSL's New Marketing Strategy in the New Millennium

With the arrival of the new millennium, Yves Saint Laurent implemented a new marketing strategy. The brand positioned itself in the middle price range of the fashion luxury industry, targeting a younger demographic with lower purchasing power.

Yves Saint Laurent retires from the company

Yves Saint Laurent retired from his eponymous company in the early 2000s, marking the end of an era for the iconic fashion house.

Tom Ford leaves YSL

Tom Ford departs from Yves Saint Laurent a couple of years after Yves Saint Laurent's retirement, signaling a new chapter for the brand.

Appointment as a grand officer of the Legion of Honour

In 2007, Yves Saint Laurent was honored with the title of grand officer of the Legion of Honour, recognizing his significant contributions to the arts and culture.

Death of Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent passed away on June 1, 2008 in Paris, France at the age of 71.

Auction of art collection assembled with Pierre Bergé

Two years after being made a grand officer of the Legion of Honour, the art collection curated by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé was auctioned in Paris for over $260 million, setting a record price for a private art collection.

Rebranding of YSL to Saint Laurent

Under the direction of Hedi Slimane, the YSL brand faced criticism for featuring skinny models and deviating from its traditional style. Slimane also changed the company name to 'Saint Laurent' by removing 'Yves' from the beginning.

Controversial Advertisement in Elle UK Magazine

In June 2015, the company faced criticism for an advertisement in Elle UK magazine that was banned by the UK advertising regulator due to featuring a model considered 'unhealthily thin'.

Hedi Slimane Leaves Saint Laurent

In 2016, Hedi Slimane left Saint Laurent, and Anthony Vaccarello was appointed as the new creative director.

Fall 2017 Collection Advertisement Controversy

On March 8, 2017, a new advertisement for the Fall 2017 collection sparked outrage among internet users who viewed it as a 'degrading vision of women' with the use of anorexic models. The French Advertising Standards Authority ordered the removal of two posters from this campaign, deeming them 'degrading'.

End of the Timeline
Yves Saint Laurent

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