Nationality: Algeria Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent referred to as Yves Saint-Laurent or YSL, was a French fashion designer who, in 1962, founded his eponymous fashion label. He is regarded as being among the foremost fashion designers of the twentieth century. In 1985, Caroline Milbank wrote, "The most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty-five years, Yves Saint Laurent can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from its 1960s ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable." He developed his style to accommodate the changes in fashion during that period. He approached his aesthetic from a different perspective by helping women find confidence by looking both comfortable and elegant at the same time. He is also credited with having introduced the "Le Smoking" tuxedo suit for women and was known for his use of non-European cultural references and of diverse models. Awards: Yves Saint Laurent's work was awarded on a number of occasions throughout his career as a couturier. In 1982, he received the International Fashion Award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, followed by an Oscar de la mode in 1985 and an Award of Honor in 1999.