Saint Laurent Top FR40 Black Suede and Leather Sewing
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Style:1990 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3632220154252
Yves Saint Laurent
French fashion 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, 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, 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: PARIS, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- SS2011 Givenchy Top Black Chiffon Blouse FR38By Riccardo Tisci, GivenchyLocated in PARIS, FRGivenchy top SS 2011 collection (by Riccardo Tisci) in black silk chiffon embroidered with silver metal zips, small high collar closed with a snap, long front zip, 2 zipped pockets o...Category
2010s French Blouses
- Giambattista Valli Top Blouse FR40 Silk Georgette Pink green flowersBy Giambattista ValliLocated in PARIS, FRTop Giambattista Valli blouse in slightly transparent silk crepe with floral print in shades of pink, purple and yellow green, straight cut, high collar closed with a long zip and ho...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Giambattista Valli Top Blouse FR40 Silk Georgette Pink CarnationsBy Giambattista ValliLocated in PARIS, FRTop Giambattista Valli blouse in slightly transparent tea pink silk crepe with carnation pattern in different shades of pink, peter pan collar closed all the way up with hidden butto...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Phoebe Philo Ecru Silk FR36/38By Celine, Phoebe PhiloLocated in PARIS, FRCéline top by Phoebe Philo blouse in ecru silk crepe, classic collar, hidden button placket, 2 chest pockets attached to the 4 corners (only), shirt bottom, back pleat, long buttoned...Category
2010s French Blouses
- 1989 Chanel Red Silk Pleated Blouse FR40By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel top blouse circa 1989 in red silk crepe, pleated from the shoulders at the front and back, shirt collar closed with 6 CC logo buttons in gold metal, long sleeves closed with m...Category
1980s French Blouses
- Chloé SS2018 Apricot Silk Ruffles Top US6By ChloéLocated in PARIS, FRTop Chloé Spring Summer 2018 collection (by Natacha Ramsay-Levy) in apricot-colored silk twill, flared shape, deep V-neckline at front edged with a micro tulle ruffle and a long plea...Category
2010s French Blouses
- 2002 Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Cotton Peasant Blouse F38By Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NY2002 Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Cotton Peasant Blouse F38 Lightweight black Cotton and Silk Blouse with Elongated Ties; Bishop Sleeves.Category
Early 2000s French Blouses
- Dolce Gabbana 1992 bustier topBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Annandale, VADolce Gabbana rare 1992 bustier top Top size 42 Excellent vintage condition, no rips or stainsCategory
1990s Italian Blouses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Long Sleeve TopBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NY90s JPG Mesh Long Sleeve w/ Mohair Stitching. Known for his intricate use of print and pattern, this lot showcases all of the best parts of an iconic ...Category
1990s Blouses
- Vintage Y2K Cynthia Rowley embroidered blouse with balloon sleeves and rope beltLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUA lovely and chic vintage Y2K Cynthia Rowley embroidered blouse in black cotton with a stylish balloon sleeve that has a delicate, small button at the wrist. The embroidered pattern...Category
Early 2000s Indian Blouses
- DOLCE & GABBANA – Genuine Black Cotton Sleeveless Top with Beads | Size SBy Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Cuggiono, MIA simple yet sophisticated item designed by Dolce and Gabbana and then manufactured in several colour versions. This is the black edition, featuring multi-faceted beads flowing all a...Category
2010s Italian Blouses
- Vintage La Perla Pleated Navy Cami TopBy La PerlaLocated in London, GB✨Vintage La Perla Pleated Navy Cami Top ✨Very good conditions ✨Rare ✨Size Italian 2, fits size S/MCategory
Early 2000s Italian Blouses
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.