The Genius of Yves Saint Laurent’s Fashion Forms

Born in 1936, Yves Saint Laurent was raised in a villa with stunning views of the Mediterranean, a setting that nurtured his early interest in design and fashion. His initial foray into the industry began with crafting intricate paper dolls, a childhood hobby that quickly transitioned into designing garments for his mother and siblings. At the age of 17, he moved to Paris to enroll at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, marking the commencement of his illustrious career. While living in the City of Light, he met Michel de Brunhoff, then Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue, who introduced him to Christian Dior. Under Dior, he quickly rose from an assistant to Head Designer after Dior’s death in 1957, at the remarkably young age of 21.

Gurmitt Kaur Campbell and Yves Saint Laurent backstage. ©Yves Saint Laurent ©François-Marie Banier

In 1960, Saint Laurent’s burgeoning career was briefly interrupted when he was drafted into the French Army during the Algerian War of Independence. This challenging period, however, serendipitously paved the way for the establishment of his own label with his partner, Pierre Bergé, in 1961. The launch of the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house was met with immediate success, solidifying Saint Laurent’s position as a seminal figure in 20th-century fashion. 

Dress worn by Bambi
©Yves Saint Laurent ©Guy Marineau

Throughout his career, Saint Laurent was celebrated for his innovative approach to fashion, continually pushing the boundaries of traditional design. His work was heavily influenced by the artistic movements of his time, as evidenced by his revolutionary “Trapeze” dress for Dior in 1958 and his adoption of pop art prints. Flammarion’s recent publication, Yves Saint Laurent: Form and Fashion, pays tribute to his enduring legacy, exploring some of the designer’s most iconic pieces and showcasing his relentless innovation. Characterized by his distinctive use of geometric patterns, monochromatic schemes, and bold colors, Saint Laurent’s influence on fashion is both profound and lasting.

The cover of Flammarion’s
Yves Saint Laurent: Form and Fashion