Yves Saint Laurent Runway Floral-Print Silk Chiffon Mini Dress Or Top, SS 1990
View Similar Items
Yves Saint Laurent Runway Floral-Print Silk Chiffon Mini Dress Or Top, SS 1990
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR38 (US 6) but runs a bit small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good pre-loved condition.
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: 1DJD08161stDibs: LU56019789892
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.
- Raffaella Silk Chiffon Evening EnsembleLocated in Geneva, CHThis refined Raffaella ensemble would be perfect for any evening event or would make a fantastic wedding dress. Constructed in an ethereal cream silk chiffon, the top is embellished with glass beads ornating a large waistband with "boteh" (paisley) and lines pattern. Matching beadwork is found at the end of the long sheer sleeves. Fabric is doubled on the bust, single layered on the arms. The maxi skirt is made of two layers of silk chiffon and fully lined in cream silk, closing with a hook and six tiny press studs. The top closes with tree hooks...Category
1970s Unknown Evening Gowns
- Angelo Tarlazzi Glitter Strapless Dress, Circa 1988By Angelo TarlazziLocated in Geneva, CHBack to the 80s with this fitted Angelo Tarlazzi strapless dress ! Made of silk jersey, the upper part of the dress is completely ruched, giving the illusion of a two piece construct...Category
1980s French Shift Cocktail Dresses
- Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Silk & Guipure Dress, circa 1970By Pierre BalmainLocated in Geneva, CHA wonderful piece of Pierre Balmain haute couture, this effortless cream gown could make a perfect romantic wedding dress ! Cut for a slightly loose fit in the finest quality silk, ...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses
- Exquisite Jean Louis Scherrer Couture Silk Chiffon & Lace-Trimmed DressBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Geneva, CHThis early 80's Scherrer haute couture dress could be a fabulous option for a bride-to-be. Made from delicate off-white lace which is underpinned with a refined color matching silk-c...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- Emilio Pucci By Christian Lacroix Printed Stretch-Jersey Dress, Fall-Winter 2003By Christian Lacroix, Emilio PucciLocated in Geneva, CHSince the beginning of the 50's until today, the Italian - Florentine based - label has celebrated color, movement and bold, exuberant prints. From the 2003 Fall-Winter collection wh...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Gucci One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress, Spring-Summer 2008By Frida Giannini, GucciLocated in Geneva, CHIn a vibrant sunny yellow shade that really stands out, this Gucci cocktail dress is made from a double layer of soft silk jersey artfully draped, folded like an envelope, which comf...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Beige chiffon and lace cocktail dress with attached bracelets ChloéBy ChloéLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBeige chiffon and lace cocktail dress with attached bracelets. SIZE 40 (M)Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1930s 30s Sheer Lace Wedding Maxi Dress with Matching Bolero JacketLocated in Sparks, NVVintage 1930's ivory lace maxi dress with a matching bolero jacket and side snap closure. A perfect vintage wedding dress! DETAILS: Unlin...Category
1930s American Wedding Dresses
$350 Sale Price29% Off - Roberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Runway Cutout High Slit Silk Slip Evening Dress GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Runway Plunged Décolleté Cutout High Slit Silk Slip Evening Dress Gown Size M Look 27 from the Spring 2004 Collection.Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chic 1920s Ivory ' Candy Stripe ' Silk Drop Waist Vintage 20s Day DressLocated in San Diego, CAIncredibly chic 1920s 20s silk vintage dress! Classic drop waist style with a side bow at the waist. Tie at neck. Ivory silk with pastel blue, pink, yellow and green vertical stripes throughout. Fantastic "Great Gatsby" style. The perfect alternative to the traditional 20s flapper dress...Category
1920s Cocktail Dresses
$1,036 Sale Price20% Off - 1970s Ivory Silk Crepe Couture Boho DressLocated in London, GBThis enchanting 1970s silk crepe couture dress in pale ivory is unlabelled but we suspect this was either Hardy Amies or Norman Hartnell as it it British couture...Category
1970s British Evening Dresses
- Chic 1960s Pale Yellow Silk Shantung Rhinestone Beaded Vintage 60s Shift DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s pale yellow silk shantung rhinestone, pearl and bead encrusted shift dress ! Features braided detail at hem. Hidden metal zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Poc...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
$676 Sale Price20% Off
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.