The history of the house of Saint Laurent is one of the most intriguing of the fashion universe. First of all, it’s the story of its founder Yves Saint Laurent, but it also depicts with love, business affairs, relaunch operations and great successes. Do you want to hear everything about one of the most iconic maison ever" Take a seat: The Blonde Salad is going to tell you everything about Saint Laurent!
 
The Fifties: the debut, Dior and the creation of the YSL brand
Yves Saint Laurent, of course, is the main character in this story. Born in 1936 in Oran, in French Algeria, he gained the spotlight at only 17 years old, winning the International Woolmark Prize. He shared this award with another rising star of the fashion industry, with whom he will share fame, friendship and even lovers: Karl Lagerfeld. Michel de Brunhoff, at that time editor in chief of Vogue Paris, sent some of his sketches to Christian Dior, that decided to immediately hire him as his assistant.
The French couturier recognized his protegé’s great talent. In August 1957, Dior told Saint Laurent’s mother that he had chosen Yves to succeed him: in October, when the designer died during a holiday in Italy, the only 21 years old Yves became the creative director of the house of Dior.
 
The first collection designed by Yves Saint Laurent for Dior in 1958 is a huge success: his Trapèze dresses are welcome both by press and clients. But the next collections didnR...