Fashion world bids farewell to Yves Saint Laurent

June 5, 2008Jun 5, 2008, 11:00 PM GMT+1

Click here for a gallery of Yves Saint Laurent creations

Some of the biggest names in the fashion industry gathered in Paris on Thursday to pay their last respects to one of its late leading lights - Yves Saint Laurent. Among the 800 mourners attending the service in the French capital's Eglise Saint Roche were those he had influenced, those he dressed, and above all those who loved him - including German model Claudia Schiffer, British designer Vivienne Westwood and fellow Parisian Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Leading the tributes to the Algeria-born fashion maestro, who died on Sunday aged 71, was former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. "He made not only beauty but also women's strength subline," said the former model-turned-France's First Lady, who appeared in several of his runway presentations, including his 2002 farewell show.

The famed couturier's muse, French actress Catherine Deneuve, fought back tears as she arrived wearing the scarlet crystal heart that featured heavily in the designer's collections. At the service, which was watched on satellite screens by thousands who lined the streets outside, she recited a poem in the designer's honour.

Others celebrating the designer's life and recognising his contribution to fashion were Yves' business partner Pierre Berge, British designer John Galliano, and New York style king Marc Jacobs. "He's the person who taught me everything I know," said Marc.

London-based Claudia, who had a long and close relationship with Yves, was among the catwalk talents paying their respectsPhoto: © Getty Imagesy

Vivienne Westwood joined fellow leading lights from the design world biding farewell to the fashion iconPhoto: © Getty Images

Former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who took to the catwalk at the fashion maestro's farewell show in 2002, joined her husband in paying tribute to the designer. "He made not only beauty but also women's strength subline," she saidPhoto: © Getty Images

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