Saint Laurent

Yves Henri Donta Matthieu-Saint-Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria on August 1, 1936. Growing up in the Mediterranean, his family home was a villa that he shared with his two sisters. During his childhood, Yves passed a lot of his time making paper dolls, eventually graduating to designing dresses for his mother and sister in his teenage years. At 18, he moved to Paris to attend the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and became increasingly noticed for his intricate design work. It was around that time when Saint Laurent met fashion designer Christian Dior, who instantly recognized his talent and helped guide Saint Laurent in honing his craft as a designer in the years to come. Of Dior, Saint Laurent would later recall, “Dior fascinated me. I couldn't speak in front of him. He taught me the basis of my art. Whatever was to happen next, I never forgot the years I spent at by his side.” In his beginning years at the House of Dior, Saint Laurent worked on simple tasks before he finally became qualified to submit sketches for Dior’s couture collection. After that, Saint Laurent began to submit sketches more frequently for the subsequent collections until finally, in 1957, Dior chose him as his successor to run the House of Dior. It was then that, at the age of 21, Saint Laurent took the helm as artistic director of the House, and would later be credited for protecting it from a financial shipwreck with his spring 1958 collection. In this collection, Saint Laurent featured cleaner lines than the more structured silhouettes of Dior’s “New Look” collection, gaining Saint Laurent notoriety for designs that included his famous “trapeze dress.” This dress featured narrow shoulders and slim, long lines that flared at the bottom. Amidst his growing popularity, it was around this time in his career that, for the sake of the international press, Saint Laurent began using a shortened version of his last name. A few years later, Saint Laurent was drafted for military service in the French Army in 1960. After only 20 days of his service, Saint Laurent was hospitalized as a result of severe hazing from his fellow officers. At this time, Saint Laurent was also terminated from the House of Dior, which led to his decline into depression and drug abuse, a habit that over the years would prove an addiction. Later that same year, in 1960, Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé entered a joint venture in establishing their fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). In the decades of the 1960’s and 1970’s, the YSL house spearheaded design trends that included the beatnik look, tight trousers, thigh-high boots, safari jackets for both sexes and the famous “Le Smoking” tuxedo suit for women. The YSL design of this time period also incorporated silhouettes from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Saint Laurent is purported to be the first French designer to establish a complete line of prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) clothing, which was launched as a way to bring haute couture to the masses, according to fashion journalist Alicia Drake. Other fashion houses were establishing similar lines at the same time, though YSL was the first to launch this revolutionary type of fashion line. On September 26, 1966, the first of YSL’s Rive Gauche stores, one that offered YSL’s new prêt-à-porter line, opened on the rue de Tournon in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. Saint Laurent attended the premiere, which welcomed French actress Catherine Deneuve as its first customer. Years later, in 1983, Saint Laurent was honored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which held a solo exhibition for the designer. This accolade was a first, as no other living fashion designer had received this privilege. Almost 20 years later, in 2001, Saint Laurent would again receive an honor, this time by French president Jacques Chirac, by being awarded the rank of Commander of the Légion d'Honneur. Shortly afterwards, in 2002, Saint Laurent retired and lived mostly in reclusivity, splitting his time between his two homes in Normandy and Morocco with his French Bulldog Moujik. Though retired, Saint Laurent’s signature looks continued to inspire the work of other designers, who reinterpreted them in their own lines. To this day, though Saint Laurent is best known for sparking clothing design trends that include peasant blouses and bolero jackets, YSL handbags, shoes, jewelry and perfume are still considered timeless pieces by haute couture aficionados.
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SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Small Monogram Cabas FogCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Small Monogram Cabas Fog

Condition: Excellent

$1,600

SAINT LAURENT Vitello Rive Gauche Large Tote Sea SaltCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Vitello Rive Gauche Large Tote Sea Salt

Condition: Excellent

$1,705

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Lipstick FuchsiaCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Lipstick Fuchsia

Condition: Very Good

$1,065

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Classic Monogram Cassandre Clutch BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Classic Monogram Cassandre Clutch Black

Condition: Excellent

$960

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Bold Shopping Tote BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Bold Shopping Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$745

SAINT LAURENT Raffia Linen Calfskin Rive Gauche Tote Naturale BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Raffia Linen Calfskin Rive Gauche Tote Naturale Black

Condition: Very Good

$1,170

SAINT LAURENT Lambskin Quilted Maxi Icare Shopping Tote BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Lambskin Quilted Maxi Icare Shopping Tote Black

Condition: Very Good

$4,595

SAINT LAURENT Suede Calfskin Medium Classic Lulu Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Suede Calfskin Medium Classic Lulu Bag Black

Condition: Very Good

$695

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Card Case New Vert FonceCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Card Case New Vert Fonce

Condition: Excellent

$210

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Black

Condition: Very Good

$1,445

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,705

SAINT LAURENT Smooth Calfskin Suede Medium Bellechasse BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Smooth Calfskin Suede Medium Bellechasse Black

Condition: Very Good

$745

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Monogram Belt Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Monogram Belt Bag Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,210

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Small Sac De Jour BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Small Sac De Jour Black

Condition: Excellent

$2,350

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Medium Monogram Kate Satchel Nude PowderCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Medium Monogram Kate Satchel Nude Powder

Condition: Excellent

$2,030

SAINT LAURENT Suede Monogram All Over Camera Bag BurgundyCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Suede Monogram All Over Camera Bag Burgundy

Condition: Very Good

$455

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Monogram Large Flap Wallet GreyCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Monogram Large Flap Wallet Grey

Condition: Very Good

$375

SAINT LAURENT Metal Monogram Loulou Tassel Earrings GoldCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Metal Monogram Loulou Tassel Earrings Gold

Condition: New

$425

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Sac De Jour Duffle Top Handle BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Sac De Jour Duffle Top Handle Black

Condition: Excellent

$2,135

SAINT LAURENT Lambskin Smoking Box Crossbody WhiteCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Lambskin Smoking Box Crossbody White

Condition: Very Good

$495

SAINT LAURENT Brass Crystal Monogram Heart Drop Clip Earrings SilverCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Brass Crystal Monogram Heart Drop Clip Earrings Silver

Condition: Excellent

$455

SAINT LAURENT Nappa Vendome Monogram Espadrilles 44 BaroloCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Nappa Vendome Monogram Espadrilles 44 Barolo

Condition: Excellent

$350

SAINT LAURENT Smooth Calfskin Monogram Bill Pouch BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Smooth Calfskin Monogram Bill Pouch Black

Condition: Very Good

$295

SAINT LAURENT Lambskin Quilted Gaby Zipped Pouch Crema SoftCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Lambskin Quilted Gaby Zipped Pouch Crema Soft

Condition: Very Good

$1,095

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Medium Monogram Sunset FogCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Medium Monogram Sunset Fog

Condition: Very Good

$1,340

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag Black

Condition: Very Good

$1,095

SAINT LAURENT Patent Opyum 110 Pumps 37.5 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Patent Opyum 110 Pumps 37.5 Black

Condition: Excellent

$730

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Cassandra 100 Sandals 36 Gold BrownCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Cassandra 100 Sandals 36 Gold Brown

Condition: Excellent

$940

SAINT LAURENT Brass Monogram Medium Cuff Bracelet GoldCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Brass Monogram Medium Cuff Bracelet Gold

Condition: Very Good

$625

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Cassandra 100 Ankle Strap Sandals 37.5 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Cassandra 100 Ankle Strap Sandals 37.5 Black

Condition: Excellent

$940

SAINT LAURENT Smooth Calfskin Le Maillon Clogs 39 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Smooth Calfskin Le Maillon Clogs 39 Black

Condition: Excellent

$560

SAINT LAURENT Grained Calfskin Baby Sac De Jour Dark BeigeCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grained Calfskin Baby Sac De Jour Dark Beige

Condition: Very Good

$1,170

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Crocodile Embossed LE 5 A 7 Hobo BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Crocodile Embossed LE 5 A 7 Hobo Black

Condition: Excellent

$2,240

SAINT LAURENT Velvet Talia Tall Boots 37.5 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Velvet Talia Tall Boots 37.5 Black

Condition: Excellent

$635

SAINT LAURENT Canvas Smooth Calfskin Le Monogramme Camera Bag ChestnutCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Canvas Smooth Calfskin Le Monogramme Camera Bag Chestnut

Condition: Very Good

$1,065

SAINT LAURENT Raffia Monogram Medium Jamie BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Raffia Monogram Medium Jamie Black

Condition: Excellent

$2,775

SAINT LAURENT Linen Calfskin Rive Gauche Tote NaturalCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Linen Calfskin Rive Gauche Tote Natural

Condition: Very Good

$1,280

SAINT LAURENT Canvas Small Monogram Hibiscus Print Kate Satchel BlueCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Canvas Small Monogram Hibiscus Print Kate Satchel Blue

Condition: Excellent

$1,495

SAINT LAURENT Raffia Sac Round BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Raffia Sac Round Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,815

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Medium Classic Monogram Kate Satchel BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Medium Classic Monogram Kate Satchel Black

Condition: Excellent

$2,085

SAINT LAURENT Patent Monogram Large Belle De Jour Clutch BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Patent Monogram Large Belle De Jour Clutch Black

Condition: Very Good

$520

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Reversible Double Sac Y Tote Gold BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Reversible Double Sac Y Tote Gold Black

Condition: Very Good

$425

SAINT LAURENT Terrycloth Rive Gauche Beach BagCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Terrycloth Rive Gauche Beach Bag

Condition: Very Good

$805

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,550

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Y Quilted Monogram Toy Loulou Crossbody Bag BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Y Quilted Monogram Toy Loulou Crossbody Bag Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,705

SAINT LAURENT Grained Calfskin Small Sac De Jour Lipstick RedCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grained Calfskin Small Sac De Jour Lipstick Red

Condition: Very Good

$1,095

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Zipped Tablet Holder BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Zipped Tablet Holder Black

Condition: Excellent

$375

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Card Case BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Card Case Black

Condition: New

$315

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Nu Pieds Sandals 38 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Nu Pieds Sandals 38 Black

Condition: Excellent

$580

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag Sea TurquoiseCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Matelasse Monogram Lou Camera Bag Sea Turquoise

Condition: Excellent

$1,395

SAINT LAURENT Acetate Sunglasses SL 500 HavanaCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Acetate Sunglasses SL 500 Havana

Condition: Excellent

$210

SAINT LAURENT Acetate Frame Sunglasses SL558 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Acetate Frame Sunglasses SL558 Black

Condition: Excellent

$270

SAINT LAURENT Grain De Poudre Medium Monogram Kate Satchel Marble PinkCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grain De Poudre Medium Monogram Kate Satchel Marble Pink

Condition: Excellent

$1,705

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Black

Condition: Excellent

$1,465

SAINT LAURENT Grained Calfskin Topstich Baby Sac De Jour GreyCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Grained Calfskin Topstich Baby Sac De Jour Grey

Condition: Excellent

$1,895

SAINT LAURENT Lambskin Bianca Mules 39 BeigeCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Lambskin Bianca Mules 39 Beige

Condition: Excellent

$455

SAINT LAURENT Calfskin Paris 105 Classic Pumps 36.5 MandarineCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Calfskin Paris 105 Classic Pumps 36.5 Mandarine

Condition: Very Good

$210

SAINT LAURENT Smooth Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Dark BeigeCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Smooth Calfskin Nano Sac De Jour Dark Beige

Condition: Excellent

$1,980

SAINT LAURENT Patent Matelasse Monogram Toy Vicky Camera Bag RedCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Patent Matelasse Monogram Toy Vicky Camera Bag Red

Condition: Excellent

$1,170

SAINT LAURENT Suede Large Le 5 A 7 Soft Hobo New BarleyCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Suede Large Le 5 A 7 Soft Hobo New Barley

Condition: Excellent

$3,205

SAINT LAURENT Acetate SL51 Sunglasses BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Acetate SL51 Sunglasses Black

Condition: Excellent

$270

SAINT LAURENT Acetate SL 550 Slim Cat Eye Sunglasses BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Acetate SL 550 Slim Cat Eye Sunglasses Black

Condition: Excellent

$295

SAINT LAURENT Square Heart Sunglasses SL51 BlackCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Square Heart Sunglasses SL51 Black

Condition: Excellent

$210

SAINT LAURENT Metal Crystal Cross Pendant Necklace GoldCompany Product

Saint Laurent

Metal Crystal Cross Pendant Necklace Gold

Condition: Excellent

$530

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