Fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent collapses outside boutique

After celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes had applauded his YSL label's latest creations during his show at the French capital's fashion week, the 70-year fell down in Avenue Montaigne, close to the Champs Elysee.

Aides rushed to help the 70-year-old, pictured lying next to his black Mercedes.

It follows increasing concerns about the multi-millionaire's health after a lifetime of high living involving drink, drugs and numerous glamorous girfriends.

"Yves collapsed suddenly and without warning," said an onlooker. 

"Yves never looks super healthy at the best of times, but this came as a real shock."

"It was nasty fall. Medics arrived very quickly and he was rushed away for treatment. We are just hoping that he is going to be all right."

Laurent, who was born in Algeria when it was a French colony, left home at the age of 17 to work for the designer Christian Dior before setting up his own label YSL, based on his intitials.

During the 1960s and 70s he become synonymous with trends including the beatnik look and tweed suits.

Shortly after his early successes he was conscripted into the French army during the Algerian war of independence.

But after just 20 days of active service he was institutionalised in a mental hospital where he underwent psychiatric treatment including electroshock therapy for a nervous breakdown.

He has since suffered with a number of ailments including depression, often brought on by alcohol and drug abuse.

While the YSL house no longer exists, the brand still survives through its parent company Gucci.

He announced his retirement from the fashion industry after 40 years in 2002.

He revealed that his decision was based on a disgust with an industry that had become ruled more by commercial gain than art.

"I have nothing in common with this new world of fashion, which has been reduced to mere window-dressing," he said.

"Elegance and beauty have been banished."

The label's show on Thursday night was considered a highlight of this year's Paris Fashion Week.