Yves Saint-Laurent was a French fashion designer who was widely regarded as one of the greatest names in fashion history. He was born in 1936 and began his career in 1954 when he became the head designer at the House of Dior. He founded his own fashion house in 1961, which quickly became one of the most influential fashion brands in the world. His designs were known for their boldness and modernity, and he was credited with revolutionizing women's fashion in the 1960s. He retired in 2002 and passed away in 2008.