Yves Saint Laurent, one of the greatest fashion designers of all time, the man who gave the women’s movement an important leg up by designing the pantsuit that helped them bring a more professional look to the workplace, has died at the age of 71.

One of the most influential and enduring designers of the 20th century, Saint Laurent died Sunday night at his home in Paris, when he lost his yearlong battle with brain cancer.

This is a true tragedy, especially to his family and close friends, and of course the millions of Saint Laurent fans around the world.

Saint Laurent gave women power with his creative designs, and there is and never has been a fashion designer in the world that is like him.

Born August 1, 1936 in Oran, Algeria, Saint Laurent quickly fell in love with theater and the arts when he was just a boy. He left for Paris at the young age of 17 and never looked back, destined for a career in fashion.

Most famously known for his sleek haute couture and ready to wear styles, the Saint Laruent name first became prominent in the fashion world when he succeeded Christian Dior after his sudden death in 1957.

He continued to produce timeless designs year after year and in 1983 he actually became the first living fashion designer to be honored by New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As Saint Laurent himself once quoted, “Fashions fade but style is eternal”, and his life is one that will definitely not soon be forgotten.

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