More than any other single fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent is responsible for informing the way that modern women and men dress. Born in French Algeria in 1936, he came to Paris at age 17 after winning third prize in a prestigious fashion competition. He attended fashion school for a time and soon came to the attention of the great French designer Christian Dior, who was impressed with Saint Laurent's superb drawing ability. He became Dior's most trusted assistant, and when the latter died in 1957 Saint Laurent became--at age 21--head of one of the most famous fashion houses in the world. His first Dior collection was a triumph and in the late 1950s he popularized such styles as the chic beatnik look. After a break with Dior, he set up his own couture house in 1961. In 1966, he introduced the first female tuxedo--a scandal at the time but now regarded as a turning point in women's fashion. That year he also became the first major designer to open a ready-to-wear boutique. Saint Laurent made it acceptable

Lynn Hirschberg talks to Stefano Pilati, the creative director of Yves Saint Laurent.

Season 1, Episode 3: Don't want to shell-out cash for Yves Saint Laurent's jet black lipstick? Danielle's got a substitute for all you cost-conscious gals.