Just read a very interesting article about him and his influence on fashion, part of which said:

He created the wardrobe of the modern woman (the pea coat, the pants suit, the peasant blouse), opened our eyes to ethnic beauty and global style, and set us on a course toward the democratization of fashion, even as he elevated the rarefied haute couture to "the rank of art," as French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday.

He was also the first to use black models, the first of whom was quoted as saying he made her proud of her colour.

RIP, YSL and thanks for the directions you gave to fashion.