Saint Laurent, who reshaped fashion in a career that spanned four decades, died June 1 of a brain tumour at the age of 71, with his funeral in Paris on June 5 attracting the elite of the fashion world, friends and celebrities. Algeria-born "YSL" spent much time in Morocco, and Berge said at his funeral: "He will stay there in a country that influenced and marked him greatly. He will end up in the Maghreb where he was born."
"I've always thought Parisien cemeteries were sad and deserted. Here there are 650,000 visitors every year. The name of Yves Saint Laurent is so connected to Morocco and the Majorelle garden that it went without saying we would choose this location, so that people can spare a thought for him," Berge added.
The memorial column in the garden bears a white marble plaque with the words: "Yves Saint Laurent, designer, Oran 1/8/1936 Paris 1/6/2008."
Saint Laurent, who was born in the Algerian town of Oran, fell in love at first sight with Marrakech, known as the "pink city", 40 years ago, long before it became fashionable.
