Yves Saint Laurent

Learn about incredible story of Yves Saint Laurent! The trailblazing trendsetter who changed fashion forever.

Growing up in the Algerian city of Oran, little Yves loved searching through his mother’s wardrobe and designing dresses for paper dolls. Sadly, his life outside the Saint Laurent family wasn’t so happy. At school he was bullied for having different hobbies and interests to his classmates, and sometimes even pretended to be ill to avoid lessons. But Yves, didn’t let the mean voices hold him back. He adored sewing and spent hours developing his skills, making tiny outfits from scrap fabric. His hard work paid off, and by eighteen he was studying at the top fashion school in Paris. Soon after, he was asked to join the famous fashion house Dior, and later became their top couturier!

But things took a turn when he was forced to join the army and ended up in hospital. To make matters worse, he discovered that had lost his job . . . Fortunately, with the love and support of his partner, Pierre, Yves slow got better. Before long, he was ready for a new adventure and decided to start his own fashion house! Yves soon became known for his chic and fashionable designs. From tuxedo suits to pea coats, his styles revolutionized women’s clothing and still influence fashion today. From the bestselling series Little People, BIG DREAMS, this title is the perfect gift for little creatives and fashionistas.

This powerful book features quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the designer’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children’s books. In 2014, she created a book for her two twin nieces for their birthday, which shortly thereafter became the first book in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. This multimillion-copy bestselling series of picture books explores the lives of outstanding people. From Mahatma Gandhi to Aretha Franklin, to Prince, Sánchez Vegara researches complex careers and makes them accessible to young children, with her unique and mindful style of writing. She works with a diverse team of illustrators to make each book lively, eye-catching and motivating. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. ​

Klas Fahlen, a graduate of Beckmans college, brings a classic pop sensibility to his illustrations with an interplay of expressive line work, and saturated color forms. Klas was awarded the Cannes Design Lion in 2001 for his work with ICA food. Klas lives in Stockholm.