Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), the famed luxury fashion house, is currently owned by Kering, a multinational conglomerate specializing in luxury goods. Kering, previously known as PPR, purchased the majority of shares of YSL in 1999. The purchase allowed Kering to expand its portfolio of luxury brands. Despite the change in ownership, the YSL brand has continued to preserve its original style and sophistication, remaining a key player in the high-fashion industry.
Is YSL Owned by LVMH?
YSL, or Yves Saint Laurent, is a luxury fashion brand that’s been a mainstay in the industry for several decades. The brand offers high-end clothing, accessories, and fragrances that are coveted by fashion enthusiasts across the globe. Alongside it’s fashion line, YSL also has a range of beauty and cosmetics products that are highly sought-after among consumers. However, the question of who owns YSL has persisted over the years, as the brand has exchanged hands between several conglomerates.
One of the most prominent conglomerates in the luxury industry is LVMH, which stands for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. Given this, it isn’t surprising that many people have assumed that YSL is also owned by LVMH. However, this assumption isn’t entirely accurate.
In reality, YSLs cosmetics line, YSL Beauty, is owned by LOréal, another giant in the beauty industry. LOréal is the worlds largest cosmetics company and owns several other well-known brands such as Maybelline, Garnier, and Lancôme.
While YSL Beauty isn’t owned by LVMH, the brands fashion line did have a brief stint under the conglomerates ownership. In 1999, LVMH acquired YSLs fashion and fragrance lines from their namesake founder, Yves Saint Laurent, who was set to retire. However, the partnership was short-lived, with Saint Laurent expressing disappointment with the direction the brand was headed. In 2002, he passed away, and LVMH sold YSLs fashion line to the Gucci Group (now Kering), while the fragrance line was sold to LOréal.
Today, YSLs fashion line operates under Kering, alongside other high-end brands like Balenciaga, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen. The brand is known for it’s modern, edgy designs that cater to a younger, trendier audience.
The brands fashion line operates under Kering, and both lines continue to offer high-end products that are well-regarded in the fashion and beauty industries.
A Brief History and Evolution of YSL as a Fashion Brand
YSL is a fashion brand which has a rich and interesting history. Founded by Yves Saint Laurent in 1961, the brand has undergone numerous changes in the world of fashion. YSL was known for it’s innovative designs, including it’s creation of the trapeze dress and the safari jacket. The brand became synonymous with high-end fashion, and was synonymous with luxury and sophistication. YSL’s popularity reached it’s peak in the 1970s, and it continues to be a significant force in fashion today, offering a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, and fragrances.
It’s common to see brand variations in the fashion industry, and YSL and Saint Laurent are no exception. Some may wonder if there’s any difference between the two, and the answer lies in their official names. Though they may have different logo variations, they’re in fact the same brand, with the luxury fashion branch known as Saint Laurent Paris.
Is There a Difference Between YSL and Saint Laurent?
This change occurred in 2012 when the brands creative director, Hedi Slimane, decided to drop the Yves from the brands name to give it a modern and edgier image. The name change also reflected the brands return to it’s roots since it was originally founded as Saint Laurent in 1961.
Although the name has changed, Yves Saint Laurents iconic designs and signature styles have remained constant over the years. The brands founder was known for revolutionizing womens fashion with his androgynous tailoring, safari jackets, and Le Smoking tuxedo suit, which remains a staple in the brands collections today.
Despite the rebranding, Saint Laurent Paris has continued to produce high-quality luxury fashion items such as bags, shoes, sunglasses, and couture clothing. The brands in-house creative directors continue to draw inspiration from Yves Saint Laurents designs while adding their own contemporary flair to each collection.
It’s worth noting that, while YSL and Saint Laurent Paris are technically the same brand, some fashion enthusiasts and collectors still use the YSL name when referring to vintage or previous collection items. This is because YSL was the original name of the brand and has a nostalgic appeal to some consumers.
The brands iconic designs, high-quality craftsmanship, and luxury appeal remain the same.
History of YSL and Saint Laurent Paris, Including the Founding of the Brand and Key Creative Directors Over the Years.
YSL, also known as Saint Laurent Paris, is a fashion brand that was founded in 1961 by designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. The brand gained immense popularity and fame in the 60s and 70s for revolutionizing women’s fashion and pioneering the concept of ready-to-wear, making high fashion accessible to everyday consumers. Over the years, several creative directors have led the brand, including Tom Ford and Hedi Slimane, each putting their own spin on the brand’s iconic style. Today, under the direction of Anthony Vaccarello, YSL continues to be a fashion powerhouse and one of the most coveted luxury brands in the world.
With Yves Saint Laurent now under the ownership of Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, the luxury fashion brand would experience a revitalization of sorts as it was now backed by a group that was focused on it’s growth and development. The acquisition would also pave the way for what would become a major player in the world of luxury fashion.
Which Group Purchased YSL Saint Laurent?
The French multinational company, Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, also known as PPR, made a major move in the fashion industry in 1999 by purchasing a controlling 42% stake of the Gucci Group for $3 billion and 100% of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL). This acquisition was a significant milestone for PPR, as it shifted the companys focus towards luxury brands.
YSL, one of the worlds most iconic fashion houses, was struggling financially at the time of the acquisition. The brand, founded in 1961 by the legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, had experienced a decline in sales and brand recognition, which prompted the founder to retire in 2002.
Under the new ownership, YSL underwent a significant transformation. Tom Ford, appointed as the creative director of YSL in 2000, brought a fresh approach to the brand by injecting a sense of modernism and sexiness into it’s collections. Ford was able to revive the struggling brand and reignite interest in the label.
The acquisition of Gucci and YSL allowed PPR to expand it’s portfolio of luxury brands. In addition to YSL, PPR acquired Bottega Veneta, Stella McCartney, and Sergio Rossi, among others. The company rebranded itself as Kering in 2013 to reflect the new direction of the company and the focus on luxury and sustainability.
The acquisition of YSL by PPR also had a significant impact on the fashion industry as a whole. It allowed for the growth and expansion of the brand, which has become one of the most renowned and sought-after luxury fashion houses in the world. The impact of the acquisition on YSLs legacy is undeniable, as it paved the way for the brands current success and reputation.
Conclusion
Over the years, the brand has continued to thrive and expand, offering a wide range of products, including ready-to-wear clothing, leather accessories, and footwear.
