Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent is an iconic French luxury fashion house founded in 1961 by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. YSL revolutionized the industry by introducing the concept of luxury ready-to-wear with its "Rive Gauche" line, making high fashion accessible. The fashion brand became known for groundbreaking designs such as the women’s tuxedo jacket, "Le Smoking," which challenged gender norms. Today, YSL continues to be a global leader in fashion, combining timeless elegance with bold, contemporary designs under the stewardship of various creative directors. 

Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) is an iconic French luxury fashion house founded in 1961 by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his business partner Pierre Bergé. 

Renowned for revolutionizing the fashion world, YSL was among the first to introduce the concept of luxury ready-to-wear fashion with the launch of its "Rive Gauche" collection in 1966, making high fashion more accessible to a wider audience. This shift was groundbreaking at the time, as it bridged the gap between haute couture and the emerging demand for prêt-à-porter, positioning YSL as a trailblazer in modern fashion. The brand became synonymous with innovative, bold designs that pushed traditional boundaries, such as the introduction of "Le Smoking," a tuxedo jacket for women.

YSL’s aesthetic was marked by a blend of elegance, modernity, and daring creativity. Yves Saint Laurent himself was known for drawing inspiration from art, culture, and history, incorporating elements from different eras and styles into his collections. The brand's signature pieces, like the Mondrian dress, safari jackets, and pea coats, exemplified this artistic and eclectic approach. 

The use of masculine tailoring in women’s fashion was another hallmark of Saint Laurent's work, a pioneering move that influenced generations of designers to come. This legacy of avant-garde and influential fashion secured YSL's status as a central figure in the industry, embodying Parisian sophistication and fearless creativity.

Following Yves Saint Laurent’s retirement in 2002, the luxury fashion brand continued to evolve under various creative directors, each contributing their own vision while respecting the founder's legacy. Under the leadership of Hedi Slimane, the brand notably rebranded its ready-to-wear line to Saint Laurent Paris in 2012, a move that brought a fresh, modern edge to the house. 

Today, YSL continues to be a global powerhouse in fashion, offering a range of luxury products, including clothing, accessories, leather goods, and beauty products. The luxury brand’s ongoing commitment to blending timeless elegance with a contemporary spirit keeps it at the forefront of fashion innovation.

Yves Saint Laurent’s mission statement revolves around the brand’s commitment to creating fashion that empowers and inspires through bold and innovative designs. Rooted in the legacy of its founder, YSL strives to blend timeless elegance with modern aesthetics, crafting collections that redefine what is possible in the world of luxury fashion. 

The luxury fashion brand’s mission reflects the pioneering spirit of Yves Saint Laurent himself, who believed that fashion should not only reflect current trends but also push beyond them to set new standards and express individual freedom. YSL’s collections are designed to evoke confidence, creativity, and sophistication, encouraging self-expression and independence through distinctive styles and silhouettes.

Beyond clothing, YSL’s mission extends to offering a comprehensive luxury experience through its accessories, leather goods, and beauty products. This broad scope is unified by a vision to maintain the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. The brand’s mission also embraces sustainability and ethical practices, aiming to contribute to the fashion industry in a socially responsible manner. This mission positions YSL as not just a fashion brand, but as an enduring symbol of innovative artistry and luxury that resonates with a modern, global audience.

Yves Saint Laurent’s vision was rooted in challenging conventional boundaries and redefining the concept of elegance by blending innovation with timeless style. Yves Saint Laurent sought to empower women through fashion, believing that clothing should be both a form of self-expression and a means to evoke confidence. His groundbreaking designs, such as the women’s tuxedo jacket, "Le Smoking," exemplified this philosophy, giving women a powerful new silhouette that challenged traditional gender norms. His vision extended beyond fashion, incorporating artistic and cultural influences to create collections that were bold, diverse, and representative of a new era in fashion where art met practicality.

Under the leadership of subsequent creative directors, YSL's vision has continued to evolve while staying true to its founder’s daring spirit and commitment to pushing fashion's boundaries. The brand maintains its focus on merging classic Parisian elegance with modern, edgy designs that appeal to a contemporary audience. Whether through sharp tailoring, iconic silhouettes, or reimagined wardrobe staples, YSL’s vision remains one that celebrates confidence, sophistication, and artistic freedom. This balance between respecting its heritage and innovating for the future keeps YSL relevant and influential in the global fashion industry.

* 1958 Neiman Marcus Award (Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior). *1982 International Fashion Award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (Yves Saint Laurent). * 1985 Oscar de la Mode (Yves Saint Laurent). *1989 Award of Honor (Yves Saint Laurent).

The luxury fashion brand acquired by Kering designs and retails women's and men's ready-to-wear and fashion accessories, leather goods, shoes and jewellery.