Fashion Loses a Legend: Yves Saint Laurent Dies

Whenever I think about strong, chic women, I think of Yves Saint Laurent. The couturier, who died June 1 at 71 of a brain tumor in Paris, was famous for his revolutionary designs. From socialite Nan Kempner (who, in order to circumvent a restaurant's no-pants for women rule, shed her "le smoking" pants and wore the jacket as a short dress) to actress Catherine Denueve, Yves Saint Laurent dressed his women by feminizing menswear (tuxedos, safari jackets, pea coats.)

Some of the designer's most iconic designs include see-through blouses, trapeze dresses, peasant clothes and, of course, "le smoking," the tuxedo for women. Born in 1936 in Algeria, Saint Laurent at 21 became the head of the house of Dior after the designer's death. After serving in the French army, Dior returned to start his own label, YSL. Through the years Saint Laurent added ready-to-wear, menswear, beauty and fragrances to his empire. The company changed hands several times, and was finally sold to Gucci in 2001. The designer retired in 2002.