-Saint Laurent

1961

The house of Saint Laurent is founded by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris. Its iconic logo, entwining the initials ‘YSL’, is designed by the French graphic Artist Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, known as Cassandre. Its original form is still used as part of the house iconography today.

1962

On Monday, January 29 1962, the first collection for the house of Saint Laurent is presented, to immediate international acclaim. The first piece created by the ateliers is a little black dress.

1966

Saint Laurent launches a boutique to sell a unique ready-to-wear line, the first ever to be given the same attention and creative energy as haute couture. Underscoring both the location of its first boutique in the 6th and a source of inspiration constantly behind the house - the avant-garde Left Bank of Paris - it is first named Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. It transforms the fashion industry, and invents designer ready-to-wear.