Which French luxury fashion house was founded by Yves Saint Laurent?

The French luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent was Yves Saint Laurent, commonly abbreviated YSL. He established it in 1961 with his partner, Pierre Bergé, after leaving Christian Dior.

Saint Laurent’s first couture collection appeared in 1962. The house soon became known for bringing youthful, practical influences into high fashion, including safari jackets, pea coats, and the influential Le Smoking tuxedo for women, introduced in 1966. In 1966, it also launched the ready-to-wear line Saint Laurent Rive Gauche.

A common mix-up is confusing the designer with the company: Yves Saint Laurent was the person, while Yves Saint Laurent or Saint Laurent is the fashion house. Dior, Balmain, and Givenchy are separate French houses. The brand later shortened its ready-to-wear name to Saint Laurent, but YSL remains the familiar abbreviation and the designer’s name remains central to its identity.