On couture beginnings and excitement for YSL.

In preparation for Yves Saint Laurent (YSL Retrospective D.A.M) currently at Denver Art Museum, I have been brushing up on the history of fashion and couture. How did fashion experience a paradigm shift from your local 1900's seamstress to the modern day fashion moguls and dynasties?
The topic is fascinating to me... Through my reading I have discovered the shift hasn't been as big as I originally thought. Paris, New York, and London are still fashion capitals and department stores still send buyers to fashion shows to purchase items and to gather inspiration on this season's hippest designs. Paris still is the critically acclaimed fashion capital producing some of the foremost designers and biggest names in haute couture. Including Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Givenchy, Hermes, Vuiton, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Primarily because I cannot contain my excitement  for the Pret a Porter line, I have gathered some of my favorite designs through time.
XOXO,
ZELDA

1)  Designer: Jeanne Lancin circa: 1939
2)  Designer: Traina Norell "Evening Dress" circa:1949
3)  source unknown? Fashion Illustration
4)  Designer: Coco Chanel circa: 1932