Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Pink Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 22 in (55.88 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU442311096072
Yves Saint Laurent
French designer Yves Saint Laurent pioneered “cross-design” in fashion, taking inspiration from street trends to modernize haute couture.
Saint Laurent was the first to launch a ready-to-wear label, YSL Rive Gauche Prêt-à-Porter. He was the first couturier to open boutiques for both men and women. Using traditional menswear fabrics and designs for women, Saint Laurent also literally cross-dressed, giving men and women alike chic pant suits, elegant tuxedo jackets and urban safari gear.
By blurring gender-specific design, Saint Laurent empowered individual style while creating a scissor-sharp fashion aesthetic of sensual ease and beauty. Many of his designs are today considered timeless classics. Saint Laurent also consistently used Black models, like Mounia, Iman and Naomi Campbell, and he drew endless inspiration from different ethnicities and cultures, in no small part because of his Algerian roots.
Born to French parents in Oran, Algeria, in 1936, Saint Laurent went to Paris at age 17 to study fashion at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Just two years later, in 1955, his remarkable sketches were shown to Christian Dior, then the world’s reigning couturier, who hired him immediately.
Surprisingly soon thereafter, Dior publicly chose Saint Laurent as his successor, which sadly proved prescient when the fashion legend died unexpectedly, in 1957. A mere slip of a youth, the 21-year-old Saint Laurent was nevertheless up to the challenge. He shook the traditional couture clientele to its core with youthful silhouettes and styles like the A-line trapeze dress that hung with seeming effortlessness from the shoulders, the antithesis of the pinched waists and molded skirts that had been all the rage after the deprivations of World War II.
After a mandated spell in the torturous French military, Saint Laurent suffered a nervous breakdown and was dismissed by Dior in 1962. Out of the ashes rose the Age of Yves. With Pierre Bergé, his then-lover who became his lifelong business partner and friend, the designer founded Yves Saint Laurent YSL to encompass prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear. In 1966, they opened the first YSL Rive Gauche women’s boutique in Paris, followed soon thereafter by YSL Rive Gauche for men. Saint Laurent had given birth to a global brand.
His revolutionary Mondrian mini dress from 1965 is a core element of his fashion biography. It is a prime example of how Saint Laurent, an avid art lover and collector, looked to painters, from Goya to Picasso, Ingres to Matisse, for inspiration.
With its pure lines and hues, Mondrian’s ground-breaking 1935 color-block painting Composition C transmutes beautifully into a dress that is highly valued by collectors of contemporary fashion and widely copied commercially to this day. The design is the epitome of Saint Laurent’s aesthetic, requiring a meticulous hand-piecing of each color block so that, despite the body’s curves, the visual plane is as flat as a canvas when the garment is worn. Mondrian’s purity met its match in Saint Laurent.
“I am no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, but with the perfection of my style,” Saint Laurent said four years before retiring, in 2002. After a long period of ill health, he died at his home in Paris on June 1, 2008.
Browse an extraordinary collection of vintage Yves Saint Laurent evening dresses, shirts, handbags and other clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Visionary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was the first to launch a ready-to-wear label, YSL Rive Gauche Prêt-à-Porter. The inaugural Rive Gauche boutique — a modern shop in Paris’s bustling, bohemian Left Bank district — offered stylish garments and accessories that were intended to be affordable for a younger generation of fashion enthusiasts. The store featured Mies van der Rohe chairs and played host to actor Catherine Deneuve during its grand opening.
Saint Laurent pioneered “cross-design” in fashion, taking inspiration from street trends to modernize haute couture. He was the first couturier to open boutiques for both men and women. Using traditional menswear fabrics and designs for women, he also literally cross-dressed, giving men and women alike chic pant suits, elegant tuxedo jackets and urban safari gear. By blurring gender-specific design, he empowered individual style while creating a scissor-sharp fashion aesthetic of sensual ease and beauty. Many of his designs are today considered timeless classics. Saint Laurent also consistently used Black models, like Mounia, Iman and Naomi Campbell, and he drew endless inspiration from different ethnicities and cultures, in no small part because of his Algerian roots.
Born to French parents in Oran, Algeria, in 1936, Saint Laurent went to Paris at age 17 to study fashion at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Just two years later, in 1955, his remarkable sketches were shown to Christian Dior, then the world’s reigning couturier, who hired him immediately.
Surprisingly soon thereafter, Dior publicly chose Saint Laurent as his successor, which sadly proved prescient when the fashion legend died unexpectedly, in 1957. A mere slip of a youth, the 21-year-old Saint Laurent was nevertheless up to the challenge. He shook the traditional couture clientele to its core with youthful silhouettes and styles like the A-line trapeze dress that hung with seeming effortlessness from the shoulders, the antithesis of the pinched waists and molded skirts that had been all the rage after the deprivations of World War II.
After a mandated spell in the torturous French military, Saint Laurent suffered a nervous breakdown and was dismissed by Dior in 1962. Out of the ashes rose the Age of Yves. With Pierre Bergé, his then-lover who became his lifelong business partner and friend, the designer founded Yves Saint Laurent YSL to encompass prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear. In 1966, they opened the first YSL Rive Gauche women’s boutique in Paris — Rive Gauche is French for “left bank” — followed soon thereafter by YSL Rive Gauche for men. Ready-to-wear materialized during a period of dynamic transformation and experimentation and came to dominate the Paris fashion scene. Saint Laurent had given birth to a global brand.
His revolutionary Mondrian mini dress from 1965 is a core element of his fashion biography. It is a prime example of how Saint Laurent, an avid art lover and collector, looked to painters, from Goya to Picasso, Ingres to Matisse, for inspiration.
With its pure lines and hues, Mondrian’s ground-breaking 1935 color-block painting Composition C transmutes beautifully into a dress that is highly valued by collectors of contemporary fashion and widely copied commercially to this day. The design is the epitome of Saint Laurent’s aesthetic, requiring a meticulous hand piecing of each color block so that, despite the body’s curves, the visual plane is as flat as a canvas when the garment is worn. Mondrian’s purity met its match in Saint Laurent.
“I am no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, but with the perfection of my style,” Saint Laurent said four years before retiring, in 2002. After a long period of ill health, he died at his home in Paris on June 1, 2008.
The vintage YSL Rive Gauche clothing for sale on 1stDibs includes evening dresses and gowns, jackets, shoes, handbags and other items.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Vintage Pink Silk Stripe SkirtLocated in London, GBA stunning vintage pink silk skirt with cream and green horizontal stripes at the hem. The skirt is fully lined with a central back zip.Category
1970s Unknown Skirts
- Vintage Andrea Odiccini Silk Wrap Over SkirtBy ANDREA ODICINI COUTURELocated in London, GBA wonderful and colourful vintage silk wrap over skirt by Andrea Odiccini. The skirt is in a multitude of colours with gathering at the waist and a 1 1/2''...Category
1970s Italian Skirts
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Raspberry Pink SkirtBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in London, GBA pretty skirt by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. The skirt is a wrap over style with ties, and slight gathering at the waist.Category
1970s Unknown Wrap Skirts
- Vintage Kenzo Blue Wool Mini SkirtBy KenzoLocated in London, GBA fun vintage mini skirt by Kenzo. In a vibrant blue, the skirt has a pocket on either side , one back pocket and belt hops. It is fully lined, and has a 3'' slit at the back. Siz...Category
1980s Skirts
- Vintage Jean Muir Main Line Tweed SkirtBy Jean MuirLocated in London, GBA stunning vintage skirt by Jean Muir , main line. In a wool mix , and attractive colour mix of olive, ivory and pale green. The skirt has a side zip opening, 8'' slit at the back an...Category
1970s British Skirts
- Vintage Christian Dior Black Wool SkirtBy Christian DiorLocated in London, GBA chic and warm vintage by Christian Dior. The black wool skirt is fully lined, has gathering at the waist and rows of pleats near the hem. The skirt has a zip on the left hand side ...Category
1970s Italian Skirts
- S/S 2000 Gianni Versace by Donatella Neon Pink Floral Embroidered SkirtBy Gianni Versace Couture, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a hot pink skirt completely covered in intricate floral embroidery designed by Donatella for her landmark Spring/Summer 2000 collection for t...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Emanuel Ungaro Floral Pleated SkirtBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Los Angeles, CAPink toned floral skirt. Pleated. Rear zipper closure. Made in Italy. *Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No visible flaws. Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— Waist: 28 ...Category
1980s Skirts
- Vintage Christian Dior Taffeta Silk Layered Skirt Fr. size 42 - US 10By Christian DiorLocated in Montgomery, TXVintage Christian Dior Taffeta Silk Layered Skirt French size 42 ( US 10) Colorful metallic taffeta silk, Each level double layered, Fully lined in pink s...Category
1980s French A-Line Skirts
- Pink wool skirt with buttons and buttonhole Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRPink wool skirt with buttons and buttonhole. "Trompe l'oeil" skirt , looks like 2 skirts one on top of the other. Pockets on both side. Fabric composition: 80% wool, 20% angora. Rayo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Andre Courreges Pink Crossover SkirtBy André Courrèges, CourrègesLocated in New York, NYCool Andre Courreges Pink Crossover Skirt from the 1980's. Unusual design with side pockets which stand away from slim cut skirt, back vent and side zip, 1980's France. Courreges siz...Category
1980s Peg Top Skirts
- Emilio Pucci Leaf Print SkirtBy Emilio PucciLocated in New York, NYEmilio Pucci Leaf Print Skirt of lycra infused cotton poplin for stretch. Styled like a jean with zip front entry and side button closure. Sits on hips with great graphic pops of col...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirts
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake YSL Bag
Counterfeiters know that savvy fashionistas cherish YSL bags. Learn how to tell if yours is the real deal. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.
Quiet Luxury May Be Trending, but These Famous Interiors Prove That Quality and Quirk Endure
Because truly timeless design requires personal vision, transcendent taste, real fortitude and top-notch objects, even if the wider world hasn’t caught on yet.