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Fashion king Saint Laurent dies Fashion king Saint Laurent dies
(30 minutes later)
Yves Saint Laurent, considered by many as the greatest fashion designer of the 20th Century, has died in Paris at the age of 71.Yves Saint Laurent, considered by many as the greatest fashion designer of the 20th Century, has died in Paris at the age of 71.
Saint Laurent changed the face of the fashion industry when he became chief designer of the House of Dior at 21.Saint Laurent changed the face of the fashion industry when he became chief designer of the House of Dior at 21.
He designed clothes that reflected women's changing role in society: more confident personally, sexually and in the work-place.He designed clothes that reflected women's changing role in society: more confident personally, sexually and in the work-place.
He retired from haute couture in 2002 and had been ill for some time.He retired from haute couture in 2002 and had been ill for some time.
Saint Laurent died on Sunday evening in the French capital, the Pierre-Berge-Saint Laurent Foundation announced.Saint Laurent died on Sunday evening in the French capital, the Pierre-Berge-Saint Laurent Foundation announced.
Pierre Berge, the designer's former business and personal partner, said he had died at his home after a long illness. He did not give details.Pierre Berge, the designer's former business and personal partner, said he had died at his home after a long illness. He did not give details.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Saint Laurent's "creative genius".
'I draw on woman''I draw on woman'
"I found my style through women," Saint Laurent once said."I found my style through women," Saint Laurent once said.
Saint Laurent brought it to the people Alexandra ShulmanEditor of British Vogue Obit: Synonymous with elegance He was a libertarian, an anarchist and he threw bombs at the legs of society Pierre BergeSaint Laurent's former partner Obit: Synonymous with elegance
"That's where its strength and vitality comes from because I draw on the body of a woman.""That's where its strength and vitality comes from because I draw on the body of a woman."
He changed forever what women wear, introducing trouser suits, safari jackets and sweaters, BBC arts correspondent Razia Iqbal notes.He changed forever what women wear, introducing trouser suits, safari jackets and sweaters, BBC arts correspondent Razia Iqbal notes.
Saint Laurent was a great innovator, helping to revitalise haute couture while making ready-to-wear design popular.Saint Laurent was a great innovator, helping to revitalise haute couture while making ready-to-wear design popular.
The editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, said she had helped democratise fashion:The editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman, said she had helped democratise fashion:
"Before that people had small salons for rich people."Before that people had small salons for rich people.
"Saint Laurent brought it to the people."Saint Laurent brought it to the people.
"He was young and groovy. Pop stars were hanging out with him and younger generations related to him.""He was young and groovy. Pop stars were hanging out with him and younger generations related to him."
'Devastating' news
President Sarkozy said the designer had been "the first to elevate haute couture to the rank of art and that gave him global influence".
"Yves Saint Laurent infused his label with his creative genius, elegant and refined personality... because he was convinced that beauty was a necessary luxury for all men and all women," he added.
Speaking on French radio, Pierre Berge said his former partner had empowered women.
"In this sense he was a libertarian, an anarchist and he threw bombs at the legs of society," he said.
"That's how he transformed society and that's how he transformed women."
Famous French embroiderer Francois Lesage, who worked 40 years with the designer, said he was "devastated" by news of his death.Famous French embroiderer Francois Lesage, who worked 40 years with the designer, said he was "devastated" by news of his death.
"I have never known a designer who would give so much thought to something when it was proposed to him," he told French TV."I have never known a designer who would give so much thought to something when it was proposed to him," he told French TV.
"It is a great grief for me.""It is a great grief for me."
Life of ill-healthLife of ill-health
Born in the Algerian city of Oran at a time when the North African country was a French colony, he had a precocious talent.Born in the Algerian city of Oran at a time when the North African country was a French colony, he had a precocious talent.
At the age of 18 he won a dress design competition, which brought him to the notice of Christian Dior.
HAVE YOUR SAYWhat an absolutely exquisite designer, his fashions will be long rememberedJulie, Atlanta, USASend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYWhat an absolutely exquisite designer, his fashions will be long rememberedJulie, Atlanta, USASend us your comments
His first collection caused a sensation with its gently flared dresses and jackets that set the mould for 1950s fashion.His first collection caused a sensation with its gently flared dresses and jackets that set the mould for 1950s fashion.
Within three years, Dior had died and Yves St Laurent had taken his place. He made clothes that were elegant and sexy, reflecting women's more confident role in society. Within three years, Dior had died and Yves St Laurent had taken his place. He took the world by storm with his trouser suits, highly coloured ethnic prints and designs inspired by the art world.
He took the world by storm with his trouser suits, highly coloured ethnic prints and designs inspired by the art world.
Taunted as a schoolboy because of his homosexuality, Yves St Laurent suffered mental and physical ill health for much of his life and he appeared in public only rarely.Taunted as a schoolboy because of his homosexuality, Yves St Laurent suffered mental and physical ill health for much of his life and he appeared in public only rarely.
But his influence will last for years to come, our arts correspondent Razia Iqbal says.
France has lost not only its greatest fashion designer but also a cultural icon, she adds.
Did you know the designs of Yves Saint Laurent? Are you a designer who was inspired by him or did you work with him? Have you ever worn one of his creations? What contribution do you think he made to the fashion industry? Send us your tributes using the form below.
Did you know the designs of Yves Saint Laurent? Are you a designer who was inspired by him or did you work with him? Have you ever worn one of his creations? What contribution do you think he made to the fashion industry? Send us your tributes using the form below.
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