The History of Yves Saint Laurent: The Renowned French Fashion Designer

Yves Saint Laurent

In 1963 the French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent began his creative journey alongside his partner Pierre Berge. He had gained his knowledge from working alongside Christian Dior. Yves Saint Laurent began to shake up the traditional fashion, by combining ball gowns with a wide-leg trouser using a more masculine feature. This created buzz and loyal customers began to form. 

Following this, the French fashion brand then released its first fragrance ‘Y.’ It was inspired to be tailored for a beautiful woman wearing a dress. The fragrance was made alongside Jean Amic, it was made to have a lovely elegant scent, to match the couture fashion style. 

Yves Saint Laurent wanted to create an affordable brand and saw an opening in the market. He created a ready-to-wear line, in which he wanted it to be stylish and for women to have their garments ready, so they were not waiting for them to be made for weeks. 

In 1974 the couture house of the French fashion designer was moved to 5th Avenue Marceau, and a few years later he launched a cosmetics line. The line started with a stand-out red lipstick, that represented attitude and boss-like characteristics. This cosmetics line grew over the years, introducing foundations, mascaras, lip-liners and many more items. 

Yves Saint Laurent had an exhibition dedicated to him and this was by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, even more special as this was for a living designer. As the fashion designer drew inspiration from the culture and clothing of Africa, he dedicated his new African Queen collection to Iman the model. This allowed more diversity onto the catwalk including model Naomi Campbell. 

After Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008, the company has been through its ups and downs. The brand is now under the CEO and president Francesa Belletini. The couture house remains at 5th Avenue Marceau, which is now a museum with sketches, accessories and garments that the French designer had made throughout his life. 

The new ready-to-wear fall collection for YLS 2024, focuses on deep colours ranging from deep orange to deep greens. This is paired with sheer material designs adding cosy fur accessories to bring an extra statement to the collection. Satin dresses are also added to the collection, with bronze-toned colours to bring the fall aesthetic.

More recently there have been many new brand ambassadors announced, Dua Lipa has been newly appointed as a Global Makeup ambassador and is following on with Charles Melton for a new fragrance. 

A trending product that Dua Lipa has been the face of is the YSL Loveshine collection. The collection is for hydrating and shiny lips, with a natural look once applied. They come in a range of coverage from a tinted butter balm to wet shine lipstick, with a variety of colours to suit many skin tones.

Dua also has a signature scent with YLS, Libre. A best-seller for the brand, this perfume accompanies a mix of feminine and masculine tones. Libres Masters perfumer says it creates a unique blend that leaves an ongoing vibrating note. 

Charles Melton an actor following after Austin Bulter, is the new face of YSL men’s fragrance  MYSLF. Charles has described the scent as encouraging, embracing your confidence and edge.