French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) has established a joint venture with Dubai-based Al Tayer Insignia to directly enter the United Arab Emirates market, website WWD has announced. Previously, YSL has had stores in the region via a franchise agreement with Al Tayer that was established in 2003. Currently, there are two standalone stores located in the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi and the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Through the new joint venture, YSL will open a company-operated flagship in Sowwah Square in Abu Dhabi later this year.