Yves Saint Laurent

Founded by designer Yves Saint Laurent and his long-time partner Pierre Berge, the brand YSL was launched in 1962 after Saint Laurent left Dior as Head Designer. During the 1960s and 1970s, the firm popularized fashion trends such as the beatnik look, safari jackets for men and women, tight pants and tall, thigh-high boots, including the creation of arguably the most famous classic tuxedo suit for women in 1966, the Le Smoking suit. Almost any other leading designer will cite him as their idol. Marc Jacobs refers to him as god. Tom Ford and Jean-Paul Gaultier call him their mentor. Saint Laurent died on June 1, 2008, after a battle with brain cancer.