“Yves Saint Laurent, the French fashion prodigy at the House of Dior who redefined women’s haute couture with his own label in the 1960s and influenced a generation of designers, died late yesterday. He was 71.
The designer died of a brain tumor in Paris, a spokeswoman for the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, who declined to be named, said in a telephone interview.
During his almost 50-year career, the Algerian-born Saint Laurent liberated women with his pantsuits and simple, yet chic, silhouettes. Known for designs inspired by artists including Picasso and Mondrian as well as his creations for French actress Catherine Deneuve in the film ‘Belle de Jour,’ Saint Laurent always saw himself as an advocate for women.
‘Fashion isn’t just to decorate women, but to reassure them, give them confidence,’ he said when he retired in January 2002, at the age of 65.”
[source]
