Yves Saint Laurent is a designer’s designer. Passing away this week at age 71 he is revered as a transformative creator. His approach to fashion wasn’t only to provoke thought from the show, but evolve women’s wear to become a modern system of dressing.
His biography describes a true artist and the article from WWD June 2, 2008 is a wonderful tribute with great quotes along with examples of his influence from the international runways.
Along with his keen sensitivity to women and cultural shifts, YSL on his own most likely may not have accomplished his potential without the support of his partner Pierre Bergé. The financial and political challenges in fashion are very difficult to accomplish for the designer independently. But the partnership together is the balance for success. From the WWD piece this quote from YSL best summarizes his lasting affect on fashion:
“Real fashion today comes from the young people manning the streets — those between 30 and 35,” he said. “The difference between day and evening clothes is outdated. The new fashion freedom permits people to be as they are or as they want to be…to go to dinner, for instance, as they were in the morning in black jersey, or anything else. My new collection is based on the idea of the suit — the practical, modern, easy world of the suit. Not the suit as we’ve known it…a suit that will look different with a skirt or pants. And pants with coats are part of our life.”
After selling and retiring from his couture house YSL and Bergé focused developing their foundation. Click this link to visit their site for great images of the archives.
