Now, you’re probably curious about one of the most legendary luxury brands and its different monikers: YSL vs Saint Laurent. So, is YSL the same as Saint Laurent? What about YSL vs. Yves Saint Laurent? Is one better than the other? Talk about confusing, right!?
What’s in a name, you ask? Well, in the world of business and marketing, a name is everything. In business, a company’s name is its image, its brand, and the first thing a customer recognizes. This is no different when it comes to fashion – because at the end of the day, those fashion houses, too, are a business.
We know you have some questions. Luckily for you, we have the answers!
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Is There a Difference Between YSL vs. Yves Saint Laurent?
Alright, let’s dissect this. Question: Is YSL the same as Saint Laurent? Answer: Yes. YSL is the same as Saint Laurent. The reason the fashion house has different names comes down to branding and brand identity. To understand the different names of this fashion house, let’s take a look at the brand’s history.
After working for Dior throughout the 1950s, and then being unfairly let go in 1960, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, established the namesake fashion house in 1961 – which they were able to do using money won by Saint Laurent in a lawsuit against Dior for wrongful termination(2,3,4).
In January 1962, the first collection was released, under the name Yves Saint Laurent(2),.
The brand’s famous vertical logo was created in 1963 by French painter, A.M. Cassandre(2,5). Cassandre created the house’s logo using Yves Saint Laurent’s initials, which we of course know are YSL(2,5). The introduction of Cassandre’s logo led to the brand being called YSL; adding in another element of the fashion house’s identity(2,5).
Since the mid-1960s up until the present, the fashion house has been referred to by both names. So, for anyone who was confused, YSL is indeed the same as Yves Saint Laurent.
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Is YSL the Same as Saint Laurent?
Just like YSL is the same as Yves Saint Laurent…YSL is also the same as Saint Laurent. Yep. This fashion house is known by multiple names!
In September 1966, the brand launched its first prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) collection and also opened its first prêt-à-porter boutique (2,4,6,7). Both the clothing collection and the store were named Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, with Rive Gauche – which translates from French to Left Bank, meaning the area of Paris that is located south-east of the Seine River – representing the location of the boutique, which was 21 rue de Tournon, Paris(2,6,8).
Saint Laurent – a shortened version of Saint Laurent Rive Gauche – used to reference the fashion house’s ready-to-wear clothing line and stores. Throughout the brand’s history, however, Saint Laurent became just another way that people referred to the brand.
To demonstrate that YSL and Saint Laurent are, in fact, the same thing, the brand has even made sure that their website can be accessed by using either name (i.e., both ysl.com and saintlaurent.com take you the same place).
Why Did YSL Change Its Name to Saint Laurent?
Beginning with the Spring-Summer 2013 collection, all items designed by the fashion house bear the name Saint Laurent(9). Okay, what gives? Did YSL change their name? Sort of.
In March 2012, Hedi Slimane – who worked for YSL in 1997 until 2000, leaving for Dior – became the company’s creative director(9,10). As a way to harmonize the brand (the “Reform Project” as Slimane calls it), Slimane removed ‘Yves’ from the house’s name(10,11). Instead, Slimane drew inspiration from the prêt-à-porter collection, and decided to rename the company Saint Laurent(10).
In an interview, Hedi Slimane had this to say about the name change: “The return to the original name would also help me to recreate a legitimate and lost balance between the fashion and leather accessories…Those were the fundamentals I needed to restore, together with the progressive allure and message of the [original Saint Laurent] Rive Gauche [ready-to-wear line], which for me was always the true spirit of Yves and Pierre. […] I believe the restoration of the name ‘Saint Laurent’ was the only right thing to do, despite the irrational reactions surrounding my first year… […] The discussions about the name change…were misleading and oblivious to the history of Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. (10,11)
Despite altering the couture house’s name, Slimane clarified that both YSL (the name and the logo) and Yves Saint Laurent would continue to be used(10,11).
The only real name change that occurred was with respect to the ready-to-wear line, which has become Saint Laurent Paris (instead of Saint Laurent Rive Gauche).
To summarize: The fashion house is now referred to as Saint Laurent, which honours the brand’s history, and the vision that was dreamt up for the house by both Yves and Pierre. But, even though the overall name has changed, the brand still uses the YSL name and logo, as well as Yves Saint Laurent(10,11).
Is LV and YSL the Same Brand?
Although both companies have similar-looking bags, and are both French companies, LV and YSL are not the same brand. LV refers to Louis Vuitton, which is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, whereas YSL refers to Yves Saint Laurent, which is owned by Kering.
YSL vs. Saint Laurent Bags
Because there are many different bags in the fashion house’s line up, it’s only natural to wonder if there is a difference between bags that are produced with the YSL logo vs. bags that have Saint Laurent (or Saint Laurent Paris) written on them.
The truth is that there is no difference.
Whether your bag has a giant, metal, YSL logo on the front or hanging down from a tassel, or your bag has Saint Laurent Paris embossed at the top in gold leathers, your bags are created, designed, and produced by the exact same company: Saint Laurent.
What’s more, some Saint Laurent bags even have ‘Yves Saint Laurent’ written all over, while others read ‘Rive Gauche Saint Laurent’(12,13).
Is Saint Laurent Cheaper than YSL?
Because Saint Laurent and YSL are the same brand, there is no difference between bags. Thus, the name written on the bag – Saint Laurent or YSL – will not determine the bag’s price.
A bag that has Saint Laurent (or Saint Laurent Paris) embossed into it will not necessarily be cheaper (or more expensive) than a bag that has the YSL logo on it. The pricing is reflective of the material, the size, the style, the season, and the colour of the bag; as well as whether or not the bag is meant to be a classic or a limited-edition piece.
For example, the Sac de Jour in ostrich leather in the nano size retails for $5,900 USD, while the Rive Gauche large tote bag in smooth calfskin leather is priced at $3,100 USD, and the ICare maxi shopping bag in quilted lambskin leather costs $4,900(14,15,16).
The fashion house’s website showcases many different bags, at all different price points (See the latest YSL price increase here) – and with many different iterations of the brand’s monikers. Take a look around ysl.com (or saintlaurent.com), and let us know what you find!
References
- Fridman, A. (2015) Why your company name is as important as your company function. Inc. https://www.inc.com/adam-fridman/why-your-company-name-is-as-important-as-your-company-function-adam.html
- Rebag (Taylor M.). (2021). Saint Laurent 101: A history. Rebag. https://www.rebag.com/thevault/saint-laurent-101-a-history/
- Biography.com Editors. (2020). Yves Saint Laurent biography. A&E Television Networks. https://www.biography.com/fashion-designer/yves-saint-laurent
- Kering. (2022). Brand history: YSL. https://www.kering.com/en/houses/couture-and-leather-goods/saint-laurent/history/
- Mouron, H. (1986). Cassandre: Posters, typography, stage designs. Thames and Hudson.
- Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. (n.d.) 1966: Saint Laurent rive gauche. Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris. https://museeyslparis.com/en/biography/saint-laurent-rive-gauche
- Haute History. (2020). House histories: The Saint Laurent timeline. http://www.hautehistory.co.uk/yves-saint-laurent-timeline/category/all
- France Hotel Guide. (2022). Paris’ Right Bank vs Left Bank: Which one is the best for tourists? https://www.france-hotel-guide.com/en/blog/paris-right-bank-vs-left-bank/
- Apple Sullivan, B. (2012). Yves Saint Laurent: Re-branding an icon. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2012/07/09/yves-saint-laurent-re-branding-an-icon/?sh=13949a0ba3f9
- Dinh, D. (2016). Hedi Slimane is leaving Saint Laurent, again. Peacock Plume, Student Media, The American University of Paris. https://peacockplume.fr/fashion/hedi-slimane-leaving-saint-laurent-again
- Yahoo Life. (2015). Exclusive: Hedi Slimane on Saint Laurent’s rebirth, relationship with Yves & the importance of music. yahoo!life. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/exclusive-hedi-slimane-on-saint-laurents-126446645943.html
- Saint Laurent. (2022). Jamie medium chain bag “Carré Rive Gauche” in printed Yves Saint Laurent silk. https://www.ysl.com/en-ca/shoulder-bags/jamie-medium-chain-bag—carre-rive-gauche–in-printed-yves-saint-laurent-silk-515821FAASJ9076.html
- Saint Laurent. (2022). Rive Gauche tote bag in linen and leather. https://www.ysl.com/en-ca/tote-bags/rive-gauche-tote-bag-in-linen-and-leather-49929096N9E1070.html
- Saint Laurent. (2022). Sac de jour nano in ostrich. https://www.ysl.com/en-us/crossbody-bags/sac-de-jour-nano-in-ostrich-398711L3F0W9207.html
- Saint Laurent. (2022). Rive Gauche large tote bag in smooth leather. https://www.ysl.com/en-us/rive-gauche/rive-gauche-large-tote-bag-in-smooth-leather-587273BWRPW2725.html
- Saint Laurent. (2022). ICare maxi shopping bag in quilted lambskin. https://www.ysl.com/en-us/tote-bags/icare-maxi-shopping-bag-in-quilted-lambskin-698651AAANG1000.html