When I was little, I always wanted to be a fashion designer. I used to sketch clothes and I poured over a book of designs by Yves Saint Laurent while lamenting the fact that I was too young to wear his fabulous creations or hang out at Studio 54. So I was deeply saddened to learn of his passing yesterday. As most creative types are wont to be, Yves suffered from addictions and depression but still managed to create some of the most iconic clothing of all times. We have him to thank for the safari look, the tuxedo for women, and some of the most beautiful dresses ever created.If you want to learn more about this talented man, I suggest you read Before the Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent and Glorious Excess in 1970's Paris by Alicia Drake and watch the haunting documentary, Yves Saint Laurent: His Life and Times, 5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris by David Teboul. Au revoir Yves!
In 1967, Yves Saint Laurent created the costumes for Catherine Deneuve for the film "Belle du Jour" and the two became lifelong friends.
Yves Saint Laurent with two fashion models who went on to become muses, Betty Calroux (left) and Loulou de la Falaise, outside his 'Rive Gauche' shop in 1969 wearing the famous safari look.
Yves was very influenced by art as seen here in his Mondrian dress from 1965.
Bianca Perez Morena de Macias married Mick Jagger while wearing a risqué Yves Saint Laurent white suit at the town hall in the French Mediterranean town of St Tropez in 1971.
"Fashion fades. Style is eternal." Yves Saint Laurent
