My Favourite designers: Yves Saint Laurent

Hellooo,

I am starting a new segment on my blog which will cover all my favourite designers and a bit about them. I am
starting with the world renowned Yves Saint Laurent who unfortunately passed just 5 years ago.

Born in Oran, Algeria Yves Saint Laurent always wanted to be a designer. Age seventeen he studied at Chambre syndicale la haute couture in Paris. He was spotted by Christian Dior and asked to work at the house. In 1957 Dior had chosen Saint Laurent to succeed him as a designer. One year later Dior passed away leaving the twenty one year old as head designer at Dior. 

In1958 Saint Laurent designed the trapeze dress (a full- shouldered dress with

 a semi-fitted bodice and short, flared skirt). Two years later he created the

 youth oriented collection which featured a shorter version of the hobble skirt

 (originally created by Poiret ) . 

In the 60s Saint Laurent brought black leather jackets, turtleneck sweaters and fur trimmed hems. Modern street design was shown in Haute Couture collections.

 Due to Dior being outraged by these venturesome garments they stopped protecting him and he was called up to serve in the Algerian War. This resulted in Saint Laurent suffering from chronic depression and was sent to a psychiatric hospital. Saint Laurent’s

 partner Pierre Berge got him discharged and they started up their own house

 as Marc Bohan had taken over as head designer at Dior. 

His first collection in

 1962 debuted the Pea Jacket ( heavy, double breasted hip length), and

 women’s smocks ( loose, knee length dress).

In 1965 he began to incorporate

 art when he created the Mondrian dresses. In 1966 he created the smoking

 Jacket ( long sleeved, short Jacket decorated with buttons)  for women. This

 was a significant movement in fashion as it introduced the androgynous

 look. 

In 1968, now living in Marrakech and experimenting with drugs such as

 LSD, he was the first designer to introduce promiscuity to the catwalk with see-

 through blouses.This was also the year of the classic Safari Jacket ( breast,

 shell and hand pockets, belted and reached just below the hips)  . In

 addition to this Saint Laurent met model Betty Catroux who becomes his muse and

 best friend.

The 70s brought the trouser suit and blazer. This began his

 Menswear collection. He also brought his 40s inspired collection that was

 inspired by Warhol’s ‘Drag Queens’. This brought outrage among press. 

Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most important designers of the 20th Century.

 Saint Laurent was a leader.

Stay Sweet 

K x