Saint Laurent or Yves Saint Laurent

April 28, 2025

Branding is probably the most essential ingredient within the fast-paced luxurious vogue world, presumably extra necessary than the product itself. There are lots of model names within the excessive vogue realm which have energy, construct connections, and lengthy histories and legacies; nonetheless, there are only some names that connote the influence of Yves Saint Laurent. YSL solid an unique, female, and assured model of dressing, significantly with clothes items such because the tuxedo jacket (Le Smoking); its model turned synonymous with “Parisian stylish” and chic risk-taking. Nevertheless, when you’ve got not too long ago been searching luxurious boutiques or scrolling by your favourite vogue campaigns, you could have additionally seen one thing curious that the label is referred to both as, merely “Saint Laurent” (with out the “Yves”). 

This actual change in branding has created some uncertainty, confusion, and agitation amongst loyal vogue fanatics across the globe. The questions that come into the thoughts of vogue connoisseurs relating to the diploma of separation are like “Is Saint Laurent the identical as Yves Saint Laurent?” or  “Has the couture home totally modified, with a whole rebrand this time?” The reality will be discovered inside the combination of heritage, innovators behind the model, and a daring imaginative and prescient of all issues Saint Laurent going ahead into the longer term.

The reply to those questions is sure, the rebrand dropped “Yves” in 2012 beneath Hedi Slimane’s artistic course, markedly altering the aesthetic branding and fame of the style home. This renaming has generated criticism, whereas not totally eradicating the model and couture home’s longstanding fame. Particularly, whereas the model has undergone some adjustments, YSL nonetheless maintains the entire identical traits of sophistication, edge, and unmistakable French temperament. 

If we undergo a brief historical past of Yves Saint Laurent, we are able to see that it was established in 1961 by two Frenchmen, Yves Saint Laurent and his life companion, Pierre Bergé. The Yves Saint Laurent model rapidly dominated the style world, paving the way in which in excessive vogue. Yves was identified for his audaciousness, usually breaking guidelines and altering shapes whereas empowering ladies by vogue. The primary ladies’s tuxedo jacket (Le Smoking), safari jackets, and sheer blouses have been all uniquely Yves. YSL turned synonymous with avant-garde class by YSL’s inventive and reckless method. The model ” YSL” mark, designed by graphic artist Cassandre in 1961, turned iconic by itself. “YSL” was not an initialism or an acronym; it turned a logo of class and elegance innovation.

In 2012, Hedi Slimane turned the corporate’s artistic director and set a loud new course for the model. One in every of his largest selections was to alter the title of the ready-to-wear line from Yves Saint Laurent to easily Saint Laurent. Naturally, this drew a variety of dialogue – some folks named it a reinterpretation of the model for contemporary instances, whereas others felt it was eradicating parts of the title from the legendary designer. Moderately than eradicating the previous, Slimane was repeating it. The preliminary ready-to-wear label from 1966 was referred to as Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, and the choice was a tribute to that line. The high fashion line and the emblem YSL remained for equipment and sweetness.

A number of the Most Iconic Items from Yves Saint Laurent (Pre-2012)

1. Le Smoking Jacket (1966)
   This can be a very famend revolutionary tuxedo for ladies that showcases a daring assertion of empowerment and class.
2. Saharienne Safari Jacket (1968)
   Impressed by menswear and colonial apparel, this piece introduced practical but trendy outerwear to ladies’s wardrobes.
3. Mondrian Costume (1965)
   A tribute to painter Piet Mondrian, this color-blocked shift gown fused artwork and vogue in a manner that was each avant-garde and iconic.
4. See-By Shirt (1968)
   A sheer chiffon shirt that redefined sensuality, sparking conversations round female expression in vogue.
5. Trapeze Costume (1958) (designed throughout Yves’ time at Dior)
   Although technically predating the YSL model, this silhouette turned a signature and influenced his early design course.

Iconic Items from Saint Laurent (Put up-2012)

1. Teddy Jacket
   Hedi Slimane’s varsity-inspired jacket turned an instantaneous cult favourite—mixing rock ‘n’ roll rise up with luxurious.
2. Wyatt Chelsea Boots
   Modern, sharp, and endlessly cool, these boots have turn out to be a menswear staple, reflecting Slimane’s affect on fashionable tailoring.
3. Lou Digital camera Bag
   Beneath Anthony Vaccarello, this quilted crossbody with the basic YSL monogram has turn out to be essential luxurious accent.
4. Skinny Denims & Leather-based Jackets
   Saint Laurent redefined on a regular basis necessities with razor-sharp cuts and a punk-meets-parisian aesthetic.
5. One-Shoulder Cutout Clothes
   Vaccarello’s signature: sultry, architectural attire that embrace glamour with a provocative twist.

Though the style model could label itself as Saint Laurent in its prêt-à-porter collections, the center of the model, Yves Saint Laurent, is not at all diminished; actually, the model now features with two heads, a connection between previous and current. Saint Laurent Paris options glossy, fashionable silhouettes with a rock-and-roll sensibility, directed at a youthful, extra international buyer. Then again, Yves Saint Laurent persists by high fashion, archival tributes, and the immensely profitable magnificence and perfume strains, which proudly characteristic the entire title and YSL monogram. This layered branding strategy offers the model extra latitude to proceed to develop which means with out discarding branded significance. It embraces the rebellious class championed by Yves whereas additionally embracing up to date tradition and minimalism. To many vogue followers, the coexistence of each names conveys a fuller, extra vibrant story of a legacy model by mixing status and a way of journey into the longer term.

Conclusion

So, are Saint Laurent and Yves Saint Laurent the identical? In spirit, completely. The DNA, daring design, Parisian class, and cultural influence stay deeply intact. The title change beneath Hedi Slimane was not an erasure, however a strategic evolution that revived the model for a brand new era. Whether or not it’s a classic YSL shirt or a glossy Saint Laurent leather-based jacket, the frequent thread is craftsmanship, perspective, and a daring sense of favor. In the end, the title on the label could differ, however the vogue home’s dedication to excellence and innovation hasn’t wavered. Name it Saint Laurent or Yves Saint Laurent—what you’re carrying is a legacy. A chunk of vogue historical past, reimagined for now.