Yves Saint Laurent

SAINT LAURENT, YVES [Saint Laurent, Yves] , 1936-, French fashion designer, b. Algeria as Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent. He established houses of couture and boutiques in Paris and New York. He was the foremost assistant to Christian Dior and became his successor as head of the House of Dior at the age of 21. His early collections were noted for their extreme, maverick quality. He opened his own Paris house in 1961, featuring the "chic beatnik" look; knitted turtlenecks; thigh-length boots; and short jackets. He revolutionized the fashion world by creating trousers and broad-shouldered suits that were images of power for women. His later designs include sophisticated tweed suits, the Mondrian dress, pleated skirts, updated peasant costumes, tuxedos for women, and heavy costume jewelry. His focus on an androgynous look was extremely influential in the fashion of the 1970s. He also designed for the Ballets de Roland Petit. By the mid-1970s, at the height of his success, his design empire included sweaters, neckties, eyeglass cases, linens, children's clothes, and fragrances. Gucci acquired his ready-to-wear and cosmetics divisions in 2000. Saint Laurent announced his retirement in 2002.