Almost a year to the day of the death of Gianfranco Ferré, another legendary name from the fashion industry, Yves Saint-Laurent, passed away on Sunday evening in his Paris residence after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Yves Saint-Laurent's contribution to the fashion industry has been essential. Apart from creating iconic pieces such as the safari jacket and the tuxedofor women, he was the first 'couturier' to democratise designer fashion with the introduction of a ready-to-wear collection (Rive Gauche) back in the late 1960s. Likewise, he was the first fashion designer to use black models on his catwalks.

I first came face to face with the YSL Rive Gauche collections back in 1989 in Hong Kong of all places, during a work trip. In those days, my Spanish hometown didn't have the fancy designer boutiques it has now, so Hong Kong felt like paradise and the glamorous Rive Gauche boutique in Alexandra House (if I remember right) in Hong Kong Island was one of shops that I remember best.

A true pioneer, may his spirit live forever.