French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his First Lady, Carla Bruni, attended the service at the Eglise Saint-Roch in Paris. Miss Bruni, a former YSL model, wiped away a tear as she left the church.

She wore a black trouser suit in tribute to the designer, who is credited with introducing women to the style in the 1960s.

Actress Catherine Deneuve, for whom Saint Laurent created the outfits she wore in cult film Belle De Jour, read a Walt Whitman poem at the service, which was relayed to the crowds outside via a giant screen.

More than 1,000 people thronged the streets outside the baroque church, chose to the Louvre museum, to pay their last respects. They applauded the coffin as it was carried inside.

Many of the biggest names in fashion, including Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kenzo Takada and Valentino were also there to say farewell to the king of haute couture.