Yves Saint Laurent, the pioneering French fashion designer, died peacefully on June 1, 2008 in Paris at the age of 71. Born in Oran, Algeria on August 1, 1936, Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent enjoyed an early childhood surrounded by family before the Second World War brought unrest to the region. The young Saint Laurent began drawing clothing designs while in high school, and soon after, he began a successful apprenticeship at House of Dior in Paris. In 1958, Saint Laurent was named head of the fashion house of Dior and, in 1962, he became the first designer to launch a ready-to-wear luxury line. In the mid-1960s, Saint Laurent launched his own couture house and was considered by many to be a key driving force behind the emergence of the 1960s fashion scene. His influence extended beyond the fashion industry as his name was associated with art galleries, ornate interior designs and the influence of decorative antiques. His creations combined classical shapes with a style that communicated the challenge of modern life. His innovative use of tuxedo-style suits, leopard-skin patterned apparel, and thigh-high lace boots soon made him an international fashion icon. Saint Laurent’s legacy will forever remain in the fashion industry, and his memory will be held in high regard by those whose lives he touched.