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As a young man in 1950s Paris, Yves Saint Laurent entered the glamourous world of haute couture. Fashion historian Emilie Hammen tells Bridget Kendall that the outfits were so finely crafted that it could take several months from initial sketch to the final piece, uniquely tailored to one woman’s body. Photo: 30th July 1962: French fashion designer Yves St Laurent poses with a few of his models at a Paris fashion show. On the left are client and friend Renee 'Zizi' Jeanmaire, the famous ballerina and Victoire, the director of his 'maison de couture'. Credit: Photo by Keystone/Getty Images