YVES SAINT LAURENT
THE FOUNDER
THE HISTORY
1961
The house of Saint Laurent is founded by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris. Its iconic logo, entwining the initials ‘YSL’, is designed by the French graphic Artist Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, known as Cassandre. Its original form is still used as part of the house iconography today.
1962
On Monday, January 29 1962, the first collection for the house of Saint Laurent is presented, to immediate international acclaim. The first piece created by the ateliers is a little black dress.
1966
Saint Laurent launches a boutique to sell a unique ready-to-wear line, the first ever to be given the same attention and creative energy as haute couture. Underscoring both the location of its first boutique in the 6th and a source of inspiration constantly behind the house - the avant-garde Left Bank of Paris - it is first named Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. It transforms the fashion industry, and invents designer ready-to-wear.
© Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
© Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
1967
The house of Saint Laurent first collaborates with film, designing the wardrobe of Catherine Deveuve for Luis Buñuel’s landmark film Belle de Jour, including pieces from both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections.
1968
Again a first - Saint Laurent launches a ready-to-wear collection for men, Saint Laurent Rive Gauche pour Hommes, opening a boutique the following year.
1971
The House of Saint Laurent presents its Spring/Summer 1971 haute couture collection, titled ‘Libération’ and inspired by the 1940s. Initially causing a scandal, its strong-shouldered silhouette sets the template for the 1980s, and becomes a hallmark of the house.
1974
The house of Saint Laurent moves to 5 avenue Marceau, Paris, where the Musée Yves Saint Laurent now stands.
1976
In July, the house of Saint Laurent stages an opulent Fall/Winter haute couture show inspired by the costumes of the Ballets Russes (1909-1929). It is the first Saint Laurent show presented on a raised catwalk, changing the way fashion is perceived - opulent and decorative, it approaches fashion as an art form.
1977
Drawing inspiration from Asian culture, the house of Saint Laurent presents a collection dedicated to China. This coincides with the launch of a new perfume titled Opium - the first time a couture collection had ever been conceived around a scent. Connecting egalitarian and democratic perfume with the magic of haute couture, Saint Laurent perceived a new plurality of fashion communication.
1983
Yves Saint Laurent and the house of Saint Laurent are subject to a retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. It is the first time a living designer has ever been honored in such a manner.
© Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
© Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris
1997
In an exceptional move - indicating his intention for the house of Saint Laurent to continue after he himself retired, and to cement his creative legacy - Yves Saint Laurent appoints the designers Alber Elbaz and Hedi Slimane to head the Saint Laurent Rive Gauche womens and mens lines respectively, while he continues to design the haute couture.
1999
Gucci Group purchases the house of Saint Laurent in December. In January 2000, Tom Ford is announced as creative director of the Saint Laurent ready-to-wear lines for men and women.
2002
In January 2002, Yves Saint Laurent retires from the house of Saint Laurent following a spectacular retrospective haute couture show at the Centre Pompidou. The haute couture arm of the house officially closes in October - Saint Laurent’s legacy will continue purely through its ready-to-wear lines.
2004
Succeeding Tom Ford, Stefano Pilati is appointed creative director of the house of Saint Laurent.
2012
Hedi Slimane is appointed creative director of the house. The label is rebranded to simply read ‘Saint Laurent’, referencing the ready-to-wear logo design and name originally conceived in 1966.
2015
The house of Saint Laurent moves its creative operation to 24 Rue De L'Université on Paris’ Left Bank, an address that emphasizes the ties of the house to this inspirational arrondissement of the city.
2016
Anthony Vaccarello is appointed creative director of the house of Saint Laurent.
2017
The operations of the house of Saint Laurent move to 37 rue de Bellechasse, once again on the Left Bank of Paris.
2022
The house of Saint Laurent presents its Men’s Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show in Marrakech, the first time the house has staged a show in a significant locale that served as both refuge and muse to Yves Saint Laurent himself. It is also the first fashion show presented by a major European luxury house on the African continent.