Yves Saint Laurent dies at 71

Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most successful fashion designers of the 20th century, died last night in Paris at the age of 71, The Daily Mail reported earlier today.

Saint Laurent was one of the most successful and famous fashion designers of the 20th century. He was considered the last of generation that included Christian Dior and Coco Chanel and made Paris the fashion capital of the world.

Laurent passed away after a long illness.

World of fashion owes much to the couturier. “Just as Chanel brought modernism into women’s fashion, you could say Yves Saint Laurent brought fashion up to a kind of contemporary life,” The Hollyscoop wrote about him. He made high fashion more accessible to a person on the high street. He was generally considered the founder of modern fashion for women.

Saint Laurent’s nipped-in trouser suits, slinky tuxedos for women, safari jackets, see-through blouses, bolero jackets and smocks, ethnic themes, bright colors mixed with black are still popular with women of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world. And don’t forget his famous perfume called Opium.

The couturier was the first to use black models on the catwalk. It was he who introduced Naomi Campbell to the fashion world, doing her first campaign for his house in the 1990s.

First taken under Dior’s wing, Laurent opened his couture house in 1962. Though Saint Laurent retired in 2002 his fashion house continued and now his label is designed by Stefano Pilati, who bases his styles on those of Laurent.

Earlier this week, YSL unveiled Naomi Campbell as the new face of the French fashion house. She will replace her friend Kate Moss in the role, for a reported £200,000, according to the source.

Gabrielle Chanel gave women freedom. Yves Saint Laurent gave them power,”

Pierre Bergé, his business partner, told France Info radio.

Nicole Kidman, Salma Hayek, J Lo, Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham and Lauren Bacall were among Yves Saint Laurent’s celebrity fans.

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