Yves Saint Laurent would spend two years working alongside Christian Dior, learning the secrets of haute couture from the master himself. Collections comprised of some two hundred designs would emerge from sketches, toiles, and fittings.

This was the beginning of one of the most celebrated fashion collaborations, that between the master Christian Dior and young Yves Saint Laurent. Yves Saint Laurent worked alongside Monsieur Dior for two years.

Jul 8, 2021 · F or his first collection at Dior, Yves Saint Laurent needed something groundbreaking to make an impact on the world of haute couture. He found it in his trapèze silhouette, taking Dior’s classic 1947 A-line skirt shape and marrying it to the waist-less silhouettes of the 1920s.

Dior by Yves Saint Laurent is the second volume in a series of works, each of which is dedicated to one of the creative directors of the Maison Dior. It showcases Yves Saint Laurent's most emblematic creations for Dior, from the famous Trapèze collection from Spring-Summer 1958 to the Fall-Winter 1960 collection. Text by Laurence Benaïm, fashion journalist and biographer of Yves Saint Laurent.

Dior by Yves Saint Laurent is the second volume in the series of books devoted to each designer of the House of Dior. It showcases Saint Laurent’s most impressive creations for Dior, from the famous Trapèze collection of Spring-Summer 1958 to the collection of Autumn-Winter 1960.

As head of the house of Dior, Yves Saint Laurent imbued haute couture with a youthful air. He simplified clothing and ignored the dictates of fashion. In his view, style had to continue from collection to collection.

When Christian Dior met Yves Saint Laurent, an ambitious 17-year-old student of haute couture, in 1955, it was the springboard that launched the teenager’s career. Dior became his mentor and tutored him in the art of high fashion design.

French fashion designer who became the head of the House of Dior at the age of 21. In 1962 Saint Laurent opened his own fashion house and quickly emerged as one of the most influential designers in Paris, notably popularizing trousers for women for both city and country wear.

On June 20, 1955, Saint Laurent met Dior, who was also impressed by his talent and immediately hired him as his assistant. One of Saint Laurent’s first dresses for Dior was immortalized by Richard Avedon in the famous photograph “Dovima with Elephants,” taken at the Cirque d’Hiver.

Yves Saint Laurent’s final collection for Dior in 1960 drew upon beatnik and other nonconformist styles, reinterpreting them with couture materials and techniques. His iconic “Chicago” jacket, for example, which clearly references motorcycle jackets, uses black crocodile trimmed with mink.