Co-Founder of Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé Dies at 86

The co-founder of  French luxury fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé died in his sleep this morning at his home in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, Vogue reports.

He died following a long illness which was announced by his Fondation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent.

Before Saint Laurent‘s death in 2008, Begré was his right-hand man and trusted partner, they both founded the Yves Saint Laurent couture house in 1961.

He remained an influential figure and was closely linked with countless other arts and cultural initiatives in France. In 1973, he was elected president of the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter Des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode and he founded the Institut Français de la Mode in 1986.

Bergé was also a campaigner for gay rights and he donated part of his fortune to AIDS research.

Photo Credit: Getty Images / Pascal Le Segretain