A sale of art from the private collection of the late Yves Saint Laurent and his partner fetched more than $264 million in Paris Monday, auction officials said. The auction -- the first of six to be held by Christie's -- brought in record prices for works by Matisse, Marcel Duchamp, Constantin Brancusi, James Ensor, Piet Mondrian and Giorgio de Chirico, The New York Times reported.

PARIS, February 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For at least six months, the sale of the Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent collection has been the focus of much media attention, described as the "sale of the century".

LEGENDARY fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has died at his Paris home at 71, a friend of the couturier said last night. Pierre Berge said Saint Laurent died following a long illness. He did not give details.

By Sadie Gray Yves Saint Laurent died yesterday after a long illness at the age of 71. Hailed as the most influential and enduring designers of his time, he retired from haute couture in 2002 after 40 years at the pinnacle of his trade.

By Olivia Barker Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized fashion by putting women in pants -- without sacrificing their femininity. The iconic French designer died Sunday in Paris after a long illness, said his longtime friend and associate, Pierre Berge. He was 71.