Yves Saint Laurent Dies at 71 (1936-2008)

Yves Saint Laurent died earlier today in Paris, at the age of 71 (August 1, 1936 – June 1, 2008). Cause of death is unknown at the moment but "reports of his drug addiction, fragile state and depression are being highlighted alongside the breaking news".

"His close friend, Pierre Berge, confirmed his passing and would only say he died this evening after a long illness."

Yves Henri Donat Dave Mathieu-Saint-Laurent
Born: August 1, 1936
Died: June 1, 2008
Birthplace: Oran, Algeria
Retired: 2002

"Son of an insurance company manager, Yves Saint Laurent left home at the age of 17 to work for the French designer Christian Dior.

After winning first prize in the International Wool Secretariat contest for his cocktail dress design in 1954, Yves Saint Laurent landed the job of Haute Couture designer when Dior died in 1957.

In 1960, he was conscripted into the French Army. His spell in the service was short-lived however, and he was transferred into a French mental hospital suffering from stress, where he underwent psychiatric treatment, including electroshock therapy, for a nervous breakdown.

In 1962, in the wake of his nervous breakdown, Saint Laurent was released from Dior and started his own label, YSL, financed by his companion, Pierre Bergé. The Rive Gauche boutiques for women were established in 1966, and men's wear followed in the 1970s.

'YSL' is perhaps most famous for "Le Smoking" tuxedo jacket, see-through blouses, peasant blouses, bolero jackets, pantsuits and smocks. By feminising the basic shapes of the male wardrobe, YSL set new standards for world fashion. He not only adapted the male tuxedo for women, but also safari jackets, pea jackets and flying suits." The Birography Channel