Photograph of Yves Saint Laurent from Dior: 60 Years of Style from Christian Dior to John Galliano

2007

Science TT505 D5 CG74

London: Thames and Hudson

Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) took over as artistic director following Christian Dior’s untimely death in 1957. His first collection was shown in January 1958; he only designed six for them. While working at Dior, YSL (1936-2008) created a new, more androgynous silhouette where ‘line gave way to style’. His tenure however was cut short when he was conscripted into the army in September 1960. After lasting 20 days in the army, and breaking ties with Dior (including suing them for breach of contract), YSL opened his own fashion house at the end of 1960.