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Yves Saint Laurent Dead at Age 71

French designer shocked fashion world in 1960s and 70s

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2008 6:23 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Twentieth-century fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent died today at his home in Paris, AFP reports. The reclusive designer, who was battling illness, said when he retired in 2002 that he had “always given the highest importance of all to respect for this craft, which is not exactly an art, but which needs an artist to exist.”

Saint Laurent was born in Algeria. After moving to Paris, he led Christian Dior’s business but returned home in 1960 to help the French colony win its independence. Excused from service, he moved back to Paris and later founded a fashion house that fueled most international trends, the AP reports. Saint Laurent was 71.

A portrait of Yves Saint Laurent in his Paris office in 1964.
A portrait of Yves Saint Laurent in his Paris office in 1964.   (Magnum Photos)
A portrait of Yves Saint Laurent in his Paris office in 1964.
A portrait of Yves Saint Laurent in his Paris office in 1964.   (Magnum Photos)
Pierre Berge was the co-founder and entrepreneur of the Saint Laurent fashion house and became the designer's lover.
Pierre Berge was the co-founder and entrepreneur of the Saint Laurent fashion house and became the designer's lover.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
French legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has died at the age of 71.
French legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has died at the age of 71.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, file)
Saint Laurent's designs set the pace for fashion around the world, the AP says.
Saint Laurent's designs "set the pace for fashion around the world," the AP says.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
A model presents a creation for Yves Saint Laurent's Spring-Summer 2008 collection, in Paris.
A model presents a creation for Yves Saint Laurent's Spring-Summer 2008 collection, in Paris.   (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
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fashion • Algeria • Paris • Christian Dior • Yves Saint Laurent

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