Yves Saint Laurent died in Paris this weekend, a brain tumor and respiratory problems took the 71-year-old fashion icon to the other side. Yves Saint Laurent was a protege of Christian Dior. Widely credited with designing clothing for the modern woman, he sucked in the street/pop culture of the 60’s and 70’s and turned it into elegant, luxurious styles that reflected the liberating times.

In the early days of his career he was labeled the “bad boy” of fashion.

Women wearing YSL pant suits were banned from restaurants and a see-through chiffon blouse he designed in the 70’s sparked outrage from the pooputt patrol. Yves Saint Laurent was also the first to ink ethnic collections inspired by Mongols and North African women.

The first to use black models in his shows..

And the first designer to appear in his perfume advertising
- he did it nude (if you must)

The only thing he didn’t have his hands on was the introduction of designer jeans; something he always regretted.

In 2002, Yves Saint Laurent retired from the scene and didn’t look back. Why would he?..

“I have nothing in common with this new world of fashion, which has been reduced to mere window-dressing. Elegance and beauty have been banished.”

Here is his obituary.

Let’s walk the runway

Yves Saint Laurent Fashion Show 1962

That’s a clip from a fashion show in 1962 (it’s in French.)
The commentator predicts, “I’m sure he’ll be an important couturier.”

Amerie sporting her YSL crocodile pattern downtown tote.

Kanye West at the Yves Saint Laurent Fall Winter 2008/2009 fashion show in Paris, France

“Close Your Eyes And Imagine, Feel The Magic
Vegas On Acid, Seen Through Yves Saint Laurent Glasses” - Kanye West “Diamond’s Are Forever”..

I hopped over to Kanye’s blog, maybe he doesn’t know yet, but disappointingly there was nothing about YSL’s death.
I’m thinking a freestyle mention, at least a one-line R.I.P. is the appropriate level respect to show for one of hip-hop’s stylistic/name drop crushes.

Here’s mine.. R.I.P.