Tip of the day: YSL in a nutshell

Posted Sep 8th 2008 at 6:35AM by Boydie Beener (Subscribe to Boydie Beener's posts)

So we have all been hearing much about the legendary Yves Saint Laurent. But what do you really know about him? Here is one of the most influential fashion designers of all time, in a nutshell.
Childhood

Born in Oran, Algeria
Son of an insurance company president father and fashionable mother
Began study at Chambre Syndicale de la Couture; quit shortly after
Began working for Christian Dior by 17

Career

By 21, after Dior's 1957 death, he was put in charge of the house
Was made to serve the French Army but, the ever fragile Yves was let go after 20 days for mental reasons
Suffered a breakdown shortly after; treatments included electroshock therapy
In 1962, right after his breakdown, he was released from Dior; began his own company with his lover Pierre Berge
Yves and Pierre split in 1976 but remain business partners, loyal friends until the end
1983 was the first living designer to be honored by the Met with a solo exhibit

Later Life

2002 retirement; became extremely reclusive
Created a foundation that comprised of 15,000 objects and 5,000 pieces from the YSL company
In spring 2008 Yves and Pierre were joined in marriage at a same-sex civil union ceremony
Passed on June 1, 2008 from brain cancer at his Paris homes; ashes were scattered at his favorite location in Marrakech, Morocco

His Famous Muses

Loulous de la Falaise
Betty Catroux
Talitha Pol-Getty
Catherin Denevuve
Nicole Dorier
Katouche Niane
Laetitia Casta

His 5 most memorable quotes

Dressing is a way of life.
Fashions fade, style is eternal.
I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.
It pains me physically to see a woman victimized, rendered pathetic, by fashion.
Isn't elegance forgetting what one is wearing?

His Fashionable Contributions