Saint-Laurent was born into a well-off family with renowned lawyer parents, Charles Mathieu and Lucienne Andrée Saint-Laurent. At the time, they were residing in French Algeria. Growing up, he relished in the privileges afforded by his parents, along with his two younger sisters. He received a thorough education in his hometown, attended a disciplined school, which left a significant impact on his life. From a young age, he developed a keen interest in both fashion and literature. He eagerly devoured fashion magazines like Vogue while also immersing himself in the works of literary greats.
Because of his unique personality and the way he expressed himself, he became the target of ridicule from his classmates. They would mock him when they saw him designing and dressing dolls for his sisters or creating puppets for school. Luckily, his mother had a special bond with him and quickly recognized his artistic interests. She fully supported him and sought out an opportunity for him to cultivate his creative abilities. This led him to pursue formal training in clothing design and pattern making. At the young age of seventeen, he made the bold decision to move to Paris, the fashion capital of the world, to embark on his journey in the fashion industry. It wasn’t long before Saint-Laurent’s talent caught the eye of Michel de Brunhoff, the director of Vogue magazine. Saint-Laurent proudly presented some of his early designs to Brunhoff, marking the beginning of his flourishing career in the fashion world.
Captivated by the extraordinary talent of the young man, De Brunhoff saw fit to showcase his work in the magazine, thus introducing the apprentice designer to the world. Acting upon De Brunhoff’s guidance, Saint-Laurent enrolled in a prestigious fashion school, only to find himself quickly disenchanted and disinterested. Eager to kickstart his career, Saint-Laurent eagerly participated in the prestigious International Wool Secretariat competition, specifically in the evening dress category. His cocktail dress design proved to be a showstopper, leaving the judges awe-struck and eventually leading him to secure the coveted first prize, even surpassing the renowned Karl Lagerfeld who excelled in the coat category.
This event marked the start of one of the most well-known competitions in the fashion industry. Lagerfeld and Saint-Laurent became rivals, constantly vying for the top spot when it came to designing and supporting the most influential brands. In the early 1950s, De Brunhoff introduced Saint-Laurent to the famous French designer Christian Dior. Dior was immediately captivated by Saint-Laurent’s incredible talent. Starting in 1954, Saint-Laurent began working closely with Dior, becoming his trusted right-hand until Dior’s untimely death three years later. Throughout those three years, Saint-Laurent collaborated closely with Dior, presenting bold and intricate designs that garnered both criticism and admiration from the fashion world. Dior’s deep admiration and appreciation for his young protégé led him to affectionately refer to Saint-Laurent as “my prince,” a nickname that stuck for several years.
Saint-Laurent was able to break free from his obligation after experiencing a deep depression during his time in service, and this was largely thanks to the influence of Bergé. Once back in the fashion world, Saint-Laurent took legal action against the company, which was now being led by Marc Bohan, seeking moral damages with the support of Bergé. Utilizing the funds received as compensation, along with investment money from Mack Robinson, he established his own company in 1961. Just a year later, in 1962, Saint-Laurent unveiled his inaugural collection, aptly named Yves Saint-Laurent.
Many years later, he introduced the tuxedo – a groundbreaking design that left an indelible mark on the fashion world. It quickly became a timeless classic and a go-to outfit for prestigious events. Alongside his evening dresses, Saint-Laurent cemented his status as one of the most influential designers in haute couture. What set him apart was not just his elegant creations, but also his ability to make them accessible and affordable for the younger generation. The tuxedo and his stylish yet reasonably priced designs revolutionized the way people dressed, catering to the evolving tastes of new cohorts.
During the 1970s, a trailblazing fashion designer completely transformed the world of women’s fashion, leaving an indelible mark. His creations, meticulously crafted for more mature women, brought a new level of sophistication to the industry. The iconic figures who graced his runway included Catherine Deneuve, Marlene Dietrich, Sofia Loren, Farah Diba, and Elizabeth Taylor, who even donned one of his designs on her wedding day alongside Richard Burton.
In a bold move that caught the attention of his devoted audience, he pushed boundaries with the introduction of androgynous styles for women. These designs aimed to create a female counterpart to the classic male tuxedo, challenging traditional norms. Always on the lookout for groundbreaking milestones, Saint-Laurent revolutionized the fashion landscape by introducing daring innovations, such as backless garments, translucent fabrics, and the trailblazing pantsuit. He left an everlasting impact on the world of both masculine and feminine fashion, forever shaping modern society’s sartorial choices.