Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent (1 August 1936 – 1 June 2008), better known as Yves Saint Laurent (/ˌiːv ˌsæ̃ lɔːˈrɒ̃/, also UK: /- lɒ-/, US: /- loʊ-/; French: [iv sɛ̃ lɔʁɑ̃] ) or YSL, was a French fashion designer who founded his eponymous fashion label in 1962. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost designers of the 20th century.

Saint Laurent's designs were noted for combining elegance with a sense of ease and modernity. His Mondrian Collection in 1965 was immediately taken up by mass manufacturers, who produced inexpensive copies that underscored its widespread appeal. He is also credited with introducing the "Le Smoking" tuxedo suit for women in 1966, and was recognized for incorporating non-European cultural influences and casting diverse models. In 1985, fashion historian Caroline Milbank described him as "the most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years," adding that he "can be credited with both spurring couture's revival after the 1960s and helping to establish ready-to-wear as a respected form of fashion."