The death of Yves Saint Laurent marked an end of an era. He was the King of Fashion. He gave his life to fashion, beginning his career at Christian Dior, establishing his own house, and dying 6 years after retiring. Steven Meisel was inspired by his passing to photograph Iris Strubbegger, Linda Evangelista, Karen Elson, Guinivere Van Seenus and model Willy van Rooy as mourners at the grave of Yves Saint Laurent for August 2008's Italian Vogue (Stylist: Karl Templer, Hair: Guido, Makeup: Pat McGrath). This is the highest tribute anyone in fashion can be paid. Linda Evangelista did several Opium perfume campaigns, Karen Elson was the face of Rive Gauche perfume, and Willy van Rooy modelled for Yves Saint Laurent in the 60's & 70's. Willy also designed shoes for Yves Saint Laurent.
"Fashion is a reflection of our time,'' said Saint Laurent in 1971, condemning the "boring tradition of so-called good taste.''
Steven Meisel's Italian Vogue tribute accurately reflects the despair and pathos many felt at the end of an era of artistry, where fashion was all about proportion, cut, and a delicious combination of colors. Yves Saint Laurent's times were about social change, the equality of women, the inclusion of black models on the runway, gay liberation, breaking of class barriers, social mobility and above all love. YSL's triumph was the “rich peasant” collection of 1976, “The clothes incorporated all my dreams,” he said after the show, “all my heroines in the novels, the operas, the paintings. It was my heart — everything I love that I gave to this collection.”
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