1980's YVES SAINT LAURENT black crepe maxi skirt with rhinestone buttons at back
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Marked Size: FR 42 (fits very small) (EU)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 40 in (101.6 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content: 60% acetate and 40% viscose; ling is made of acetate and cupro.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8121060402
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 2000's YOHJI YAMAMOTO inky black asymmetrical wide leg pantsBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in San Fransisco, CAInky-black, asymmetrical wide leg pants designed by Yohji Yamamoto dating to the 2000's. Japanese size '1'. Approximate measurements: waist 26.5" , hip 54" (full due to pleats howeve...Category
1980s Japanese Pencil Skirts
- AZZEDINE ALAIA black leather skirt with pleated hemlineBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, butter-soft leather skirt with beautiful contours and pleated hemline by Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 2000's. Very clever double zipper entry follows the line of the...Category
2010s French A-Line Skirts
- 2000's JOHN GALLIANO black draped maxi skirt with 'shirt-sleeve' tiesBy John GallianoLocated in San Fransisco, CASoft-black, draped maxi skirt with unique 'shirt-sleeve' ties at back of waist designed by John Galliano dating to the early 2000's. Skirt has great movement when you walk. French si...Category
Early 2000s French Skirts
- HOMMA draped black wool skirtLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black draped wool skirt designed by Homma. Japanese size 3. Approximate measurements: waist 28" and length 33-35". Zip and button closure at side of waist. Fabric content: 100% w...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Skirts
- 2000's AZZEDINE ALAIA black pointelle knit skirt with ruffles & hidden shortsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack mini skirt with ruffled, open-work pointelle knit tiers and hidden shorts from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 2000's. Labeled a size 'XS'. Approximate measurements: waist 23" and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ruffled Skirts
- Azzedine Alaia black semi sheer skirt with contrasting trim, 1990sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black semi sheer skirt with contrasting diamond knit detail from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Labled a size S however this fits a size XS or S. Approximate unstretched me...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Thierry Mugler COUTURE Silk & Acetate Salmon SkirtBy Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in Brussels, BEThierry Mugler COUTURE Introducing Thierry Mugler's iconic salmon color. This stunning piece captures the essence of Mugler's bold and visionary approach to fashion. Crafted from lux...Category
Early 2000s French Pencil Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana Paisley Floral Patchwork Corduroy SkirtBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana Paisley Floral Patchwork Corduroy Skirt Groovy 70s Inspire Print CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be e...Category
Early 2000s A-Line Skirts
- Fendi Monogram SkirtBy FendiLocated in London, GBFendi Monogram Skirt CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. However good general condition. SIZE LABELLED: IT 44...Category
21st Century and Contemporary A-Line Skirts
- 1980 GIANNI VERSACE lurex silk pleated SkirtBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Genève, CHRare Gianni Versace deep blue pleated silk skirt -Closed by side zipper -Belt loops -Made in Italy -Circa 1979-1989 -80% Silk - 20% Polyester -Estimated ...Category
1980s Italian Pleated Skirts
- GIANNI VERSACE Leather cut out twisted Mini Skirt, c. 1990sBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Genève, CHGianni Versace sexy twisted cut out leather fitted mini skirt, made from butter soft leather. Perfect condition, 3 micro stains on the lining ( check pictures). - Closing zipper on ...Category
1990s Italian Pencil Skirts
- PACO RABANNE Vintage Spring Summer 2002 Red Leather Mini SkirtBy Paco RabanneLocated in Berlin, BEBeautiful rare vintage Paco Rabanne skirt from his Spring Summer 2002 collection. Made from a soft red leather, this unique mini skirt features four squares at the front and back th...Category
Early 2000s French A-Line 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.