Final answer:
The person who inherited Christian Dior's empire was Yves Saint Laurent. Laurent, a design assistant at the time of Dior's death, was appointed as the artistic director. His first collection for Dior was the 1958 Trapeze Line, which was highly praised and gained him international fame.
Step-by-step explanation:
The designer who became the heir to Christian Dior's empire after Dior's death on October 24th, 1957, was none other than Yves Saint Laurent. After Dior's untimely demise, the 21-year-old Laurent, who was then working as a design assistant at the Dior fashion house, was appointed as the artistic director. This surprising yet pivotal appointment marked the beginning of Yves Saint Laurent's illustrious career in the high fashion industry. It's noteworthy that Laurent's first collection for Dior, the 1958 Trapeze Line, was highly successful and earned him international recognition.
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