Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/remembering-designer-yves-saint-laurent Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Yves Saint Laurent died on Sunday, aged 71, leaving behind a rich legacy of iconic work and groundbreaking change in the world of fashion. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JEFFREY BROWN: Yves Saint Laurent burst onto the fashion scene as a young man with a first collection that featured the so-called "trapeze dress." He recalled it several years ago. YVES SAINT LAURENT, Fashion Designer (through translator): I was lucky enough to become Christian Dior's assistant at the age of 18, his successor at the age of 21, and to enjoy success from my very first collection in 1958, whose 44th anniversary will be in a few days' time. Since then, I have lived for my profession and through my profession. JEFFREY BROWN: He opened his own high fashion house in the early '60s. Every season was marked by dramatic new statements, from a tuxedo jacket for women to chic beatnik fashion, each style cementing his position as a pre-eminent designer who would change the way women dressed.He was also one of the first to emphasize so-called "ready-to-wear" lines for those who couldn't or wouldn't buy designer clothes. He's often credited with making pantsuits part of the basic wardrobe for many women.His health was often a concern. He struggled with depression throughout his career. He announced his retirement in early 2002, after much of his company was sold to Gucci.Yves Saint Laurent died Saturday in Paris. He was 71 years old.