French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and Pierre Berge, the partner of fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent leave the Saint-Roch church, in Paris, after the funeral mass. With a military salute, crowds thronging the streets and the cream of global couture in attendance Yves Saint Laurent was given a grand send-off at his funeral Thursday.

With Berge taking care of the management side, Saint Laurent built up the YSL brand into one of the world's most widely recognized fashion labels with hallmark designs like his women's tuxedo and trouser suits.

However he struggled with alcohol and drug problems as well as ill health and he became disillusioned with the fashion scene after he retired from designing in 2002.