You may recognize the house by its Muse bag…or Tribute sandals…or even Le Smoking tuxedo suit, but one mention of Yves Saint Laurent, or just YSL, and instant visions of luxury come to mind—even to the most casual of fashion dilettante.
And now, thanks to the Bertrand Bonello-directed biopic, Saint Laurent, we get to watch the luxe world of YSL unfold. Just released last Friday, the film depicts all the decadence we've come to associate with the brand—as well as trials and tribulations, drug addiction, love, heartbreak and the fickle state of public opinion.
"Like an E! channel reality show or an Instagram feed from the Met Gala, Bertrand Bonello's Saint Laurent beckons with the promise of an inside look at the hectic and mysterious world of fashion," according to the New York Times.
For the style savant, it's a must-see; for the historian, it's interesting; for everyone else, it's pure entertainment. Whatever the case, Yves Saint Laurent is embedded in history and glamour.
1936
Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria. At a young age, Yves was already designing for his paper dolls. It wasn't long before he started dressing his mother and two younger sisters.
1957
After leaving home at 17, impressing the editor of Vogue Paris and a stint in fashion school, Yves studied under the tutelage of Christian Dior. At 21, he was named Dior's successor and impressed both critics and the public with his debut collection. His take of Dior's legendary New Look—including designs like the famed "trapeze dress"—reportedly saved the company from financial demise.
1962
During his brief service in the military (in which he was hospitalized and treated with psychoactive drugs and shock therapy), Yves learned he had had been fired from Dior. After being discharged, he set up his own brand, Yves Saint Laurent YSL, with partner and lover Pierre Berge.
1966
This was the year of Le Smoking jacket—yes, you know it well: the tailored, super-chic, black tuxedo topper all the celebs, no matter their style, wear at one point or another. It still exists as one of the most iconic pieces in history.
2002
Yves Saint Laurent has been credited for many fashion accomplishments, including popularizing the sheer blouse, the jumpsuit and marketing and bringing ready-to-wear to the fashion forefront. But with health issues, the visionary took his last bow on the runway as Stefano Pilati took up his torch.
2008
The world mourned one of the greatest minds—and hearts—in fashion when YSL passed away due to brain cancer. His funeral bought together influencers all over the world, including former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, former queen of Iran Farah Pahlavi and Claudia Schiffer.
Present
Today, under then creative direction of Hedi Slimane, the rebranded Saint Laurent is still the purveyor of luxury, tailored-to-perfection wares for both celebs and fashion-forwards fans. Still retaining the Yves Saint Laurent name, the beauty and accessories lines are still top performers in the industry and are fronted by faces like Cara Delevingne in ad campaigns.