The Yves Saint Laurent Revolution: The Story of "Le Smoking"

Author: Benjamin Bachelier ,  Loo Hui Phang

Format: Hardcover | 168 pages

Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.9 x 11.2 inches

Publication date : May 5, 2026

A graphic novel on the life and career of Yves Saint Laurent, inspired by his creation of the women’s tuxedo.

Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most important figures in modern fashion. Recognized as a creative genius at a young age, he became Christian Dior's assistant at the age of seventeen and head designer at the age of twenty-one when Dior himself died. Later, Saint Laurent would go on to found his eponymous fashion house and dedicate himself to designing clothes for the modern woman which were both stylish and comfortable.

In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent shocked the fashion world by introducing a tuxedo for women, which he called "Le Smoking." Tuxedos had been exclusively the domain of male wearers and were originally designed to protect men’s clothes from the smell of smoke.

This entertaining graphic novel tells the story of YSL's tuxedo for women and the colorful and rebellious women who initially wore it, particularly Betty Catroux, his lifelong muse. Taking the form of a dreamlike journey through New York City, it opens the world of Yves Saint Laurent to readers via encounters with such figures as Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Christian Dior, and Paul Poiret, contrasting their styles with those of Yves Saint Laurent.

The story includes a wide range of models, artists, writers, and thinkers recounting how Saint Laurent’s iconic garment initially scandalized and then spurred the evolution of modern women’s fashion. The result is a compelling story for anyone interested in the history of fashion and the revolutionary style of Yves Saint Laurent.

160 color illustrations