the buzz log

Legendary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent died Sunday at the age of 71. The Parisian couturier was a superstar among stylists and socialites. But was his passing marked by the greater public—those of us who have never slipped on one of his "le smoking" suits, shelled out for one of his exquisite gowns, or  looked askance at his ooh-la-la blouses?

Mon dieu, yes. Searchers turned out in droves to bid Saint Laurent good-bye. The day after his death was announced, queries for his name spiked 4,279%, pushing the designer into Monday's top 10 fastest-moving queries. Interest in his biography, his death, and his Wikipedia page surged. Demand for "yves saint laurent news" and, intriguingly, "yves saint laurent ads" also leapt.

In Buzz, more than 70 articles appeared to eulogize or ponder fashion's one-time enfant terrible. Of particular note, the Washington Post's style writer, Robin Givhan, hosted an online chat about the designer's life and times, the New York Times produced an in-depth obituary, and the Wall Street Journal examined how his brand will continue, and his allure will, too.

Finally, Salon hosted AP's collection of notable YSL quotes. Among the bon mots collected there is this delectable saying from Monsieur Saint Laurent: "The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves. But for those who haven't had the fortune of finding this happiness, I am there."

Au revoir, Yves Saint Laurent.