Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer. In 1962 he founded his own fashion house Yves Saint Laurent after working for Dior. In 1998 Laurent announced his retirement and shortly after Gucci bought the YSL brand.
In the evening of June 1, 2008, Laurent died while in Paris, France. According to his friend, Pierre Berge, Laurent died from an illness that he had for a long time, though no additional details were given.
Early Career
Born to an insurance company manager, Laurent went to work for designer Christian Dior at the age of 17. By 22, he was in charge of saving the fashion house after Dior's death. Sent to serve in the French army and after twenty days was sent to a mental hospital for being hazed. This incident led to a nervous breakdown which made him part ways with Dior but free to start his own label YSL. YSL was financed by his life partner Pierre Berge and even though the two split romantically, they continued business together.
