YSL – The Brand .png)
Algerian born Yves Saint Laurent was set for a career in high fashion from an early age. Leaving home as a teenager, he moved to Paris aged 17. There he met Michael de Brunhoff, a director of French Vogue. Showing him a number of designs he had drawn, they were immediately published in Vogue, and so Yves Saint Laurent’s illustrious career got rolling. He briefly attended fashion school where he was introduced to Christian Dior, working for him up until 1957 when he died.
The sixties saw Yves Saint Laurent conscripted to the French army, unfortunately he suffered a nervous breakdown whilst recruited and was sent to mental hospital for therapy. In the wake of his nervous breakdown he was released from his role with Dior, and went about setting up his own self titled fashion house.
The debut of YSL was to see great milestones across the fashion industry. Yves Saint Laurent brought with his legacy a number of extraordinary new styles, from giving women power dressing with his Smoking Suit, to ethnic inspired safari chic. The many styles of Yves Saint Laurent have seen these trends crop up again and again in fashion seasons past and present. Yves Saint Laurent was also notably the first designer to feature black models – a real eye opener to the fashion industry.
In 2002 Yves Saint Laurent retired from his fashion emporium, leaving Alber Elbaz in his place, who was then replaced by Tom Ford. Branding YSL in a provocative and sexier way, Tom Ford’s design aesthetic had strayed from Yves Saint Laurent’s original vision, and so in 2005 Stefano Pilati became YSL’s resident designer.
Sadly in 2008 the fashion industry lost a rare legend, when Yves Saint Laurent succumbed to his battle with cancer. Today the YSL brand lives on through Pilati who continues to stay true to the non-conformist Yves Saint Laurent vision.
YSL – Classic Styles.png)
Modern, refined and captivating – the world of YSL is meant for ground breaking fashion. Hailed as a legend for past innovations, YSL is responsible for adapting the male wardrobe for women, presenting us with the concept of power dressing. His famous ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo jacket saw the male staple become a wearable option for strong, empowered women. Bolero jackets, pea coats and safari jackets also became favoured in high fashion as outerwear. Shirt dresses, jumpsuits, sheer blouses and peasant tops are all signature YSL garments, imitated by countless designers throughout time.
.png)
Current YSL style stays true to their past innovations, always full of flair. Safari influences and powerfully crisp tailoring is evident in their current women’s collection. Accessories are always playful with discreet distinguishing traits. Costume jewellery is wonderfully charming, whilst designer shoes and bags will be timeless keep sakes.
Outside of its fashionable reputation, Yves Saint Laurent has famously branded themselves as one of the most prestigious beauty brands on the market. Sought after fragrances like Opium, Cinema, Elle and the newest scent Parisienne are opulent and full of class.
A full skincare and make up range by YSL is also available. Cult beauty item Touché Éclat is said to be sold every 20 seconds around the globe. As the number one beauty product for women, a men’s version of the novel concealing and highlighting pen also launched in 2008 – a further revolution on YSL’s part to the male grooming market.
Constantly breaking boundaries, YSL is an untouchable force to be reckoned with when it comes to high fashion.
