France's Fashion King

By Kate Betts

Widely considered the greatest French couturier of his generation, Yves Saint Laurent, who died June 1 in Paris at age 71, was also credited with democratizing fashion and empowering women with his strong, sexy silhouettes. He famously brought the vernacular of the street to high-fashion runways--with motorcycle jackets, peacoats and berets--and put women in men's clothing, specifically the tuxedo, or Le Smoking. Inspired by artists like Mondrian, Picasso and Matisse, he aimed to make women look beautiful and feel confident. He did both effortlessly. Born in Algeria, Saint Laurent went to work for Christian Dior in Paris, eventually taking over the fashion house after Dior's death in 1957 and starting his own label in 1962. At the celebration of his 40th anniversary as a designer, Saint Laurent told Time, "I am amazed, even quite astounded, that I could have lasted so long in fashion, and that people still love me."