Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Early Peach Gauze Toga
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 36 (EU)
- Style:1970 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Please contact for exact measurements.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Belts not included. Pls contact for exact measurements.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4619659322
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: Riverdale, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Lilly Pulitzer Georgette Floral DressBy Lilly PulitzerLocated in New York, NYCharming Lilly Pulitzer chiffon georgette dress in soft pink and yellow florals. Drawstrings under empire waist and on sleeves. Back zip entry with full ruffle at hem. Excellent co...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Marie Pierre Tattarachi Strapless Pleated Cotton Jersey Dress/SkirtLocated in New York, NYMarie Pierre Tattarachi pleated cotton jersey tiered dress (also wearable as skirt). Drawstring at bust/waist and super full skirt. Bust: Max opening 38" Length: 32"Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Mod Mignon Batwing 1960's DressBy MignonLocated in New York, NYCool Mignon Batwing Mod Dress with large pleated bow detailing and deep sleeves. Made of printed semi sheer floral and striped cotton/silk blend? damask. Deep sleeves that taper at w...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Geoffrey Beene Wool Jersey Spiral Seam DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in New York, NYGeoffrey Beene chic charcoal wool jersey dress with unusual seaming. Triple button motif at hip and shoulder. Buttons open at hip for pocket entry. Buttons upon at shoulder for head ...Category
1990s Sheath Dresses
- YSL Jersey Tunic DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYClassic Yves Saint Laurent wool jersey tunic dress in electric blue with gold buttoned placket. Bold shoulder line and shirt detailing rendered by YSL in...Category
1980s French Chemise Dresses
- Leopard Print Rayon DressLocated in New York, NYAustere and elegant cowl neck dress with gathered waist and semifull skirt in interesting animal print. Gathered sleeve with button cuffs. Soft rayon broadcloth. Back zip entry.Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Venus De Milo Torso Optical Illusion Nude Sculpture Dress SetBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRNEW Jean Paul Gaultier Venus De Milo Torso Optical Illusion Nude Sculpture S/S 1999 Kim Kourtney Kardashian Iconic Collector Soleil De...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Chanel 2001 wool, silk and sequin knee length dress with half belt detailBy ChanelLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis is a piece of Chanel that you will wear & wear again as it’s the perfect dress for when you don’t know what to wear. Crafted in wool/silk herringbone style patterned fabric in ...Category
1990s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Suede Tan Wrap Dress Size 6By Ralph LaurenLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAClassic - this Ralph Lauren wrap dress is timeless. Tan in coloring - reference to different photos for lighting in the exposed sun to indoor...Category
2010s American Cocktail Dresses
- Missoni Multicolor Patterned Jacquard Knit Button Front Kaftan MBy MissoniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This kaftan from Missoni is vibrant and gorgeous! It is knit from quality fabrics and designed with colourful patterns all over, pockets and button fastenings. You may team it with a...Category
2010s Mini Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Peach Jersey Embellished Wrap Detail Draped Dress SBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2There's truly no better way to feel elegant and graceful than to wear something pretty like this dress. From Roberto Cavalli, this dress is cut from peach jersey fabric, augmented wi...Category
2010s Italian Formal Wear
- Stella McCartney Orange Lace & Mesh Inset Sleeveless Maxi Dress XSBy Stella McCartneyLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2How beautiful is this dress from the House of Stella McCartney! This dress, with its fluid-feminine silhouette and charming design, will easily add grace to your attire. It has been ...Category
2010s Italian Formal Wear