Saint Laurent was born Aug. 1, 1936, in Oran, Algeria. YSL first emerged as a promising designer at the young age of only 17, winning first prize in a contest sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat for a cocktail dress design.Only a year later in 1954, he enrolled at the Chambre Syndicale school of haute couture, which he quickly found out was not the route for him. He was soon introduced to Christian Dior, then regarded as the greatest creator of his day, and Dior was so impressed with YSL's talent that he hired him on the spot.
When Dior died suddenly in 1957, Saint Laurent was named head of the House of Dior at the age of 21, which is still virtually unheard of till this day.
After years of success, breaking fashion and social barriers worldwide, At the age of 65, YSL decided retirement might be the next chapter in his life.
After retirement, Saint Laurent spoke of his battles with depression, drugs and loneliness, though he gave no indication that those problems were directly tied to his decision to stop working."I've known fear and terrible solitude," he said. "Tranquilizers and drugs, those phony friends. The prison of depression and hospitals. I've emerged from all this, dazzled but sober."
YSL is often referred to as one of the last great fashion designers, but leaving behind such a powerful legacy to the world will only ensure that a new breed of fashion designers will eagerly looking to make an impact on the world of fashion, with only a few truly learning from his teachings. Those few, will carry his legacy and the legacy of others into the next generation.
Yves Saint Laurent died on June 1, 2008, at home in Paris after a year-long fight against brain cancer and will truly be missed.
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