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.
Y2K 2003 Yves Saint Laurent Tom Ford Pink Jacket + Skirt Suit Ensemble YSL
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Sparks, NV
Iconic and collectible 2003 Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche pink jacket and skirt ensemble with asymmetric ruffle. The skirt is fully lined with front button, buckle and ...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2001 Black Cotton Tiered Maxi Skirt, Runway
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant bohemian chic tiered cotton skirt from Tom Ford's iconic Fall 2001 collection for Yves Saint Laurent. Beautifully crafted from black cotton poplin, this piece reimagines the ...
Long black velvet and taffeta skirt SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long black velvet and taffeta skirt. Zip and hook&eye closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. Taffetas belt attached to the waist. SIZE 38 on tag but fit more likely 34 (Fr) XS
Gold lurex flair skirt SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Gold lurex flair skirt . Elastic waist band . SIZE 40/L
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage Quilted Metallic Gold Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Sparks, NV
Vintage 1980s metallic gold quilted pencil skirt by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Fully lined with side zip and hook closure and pockets. The marked size is 38, and the skirt fits ...
Purple taffeta ruffled skirt SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Purple taffeta ruffled skirt . Elastic waist band. SIZE : 36 /S
1970's SAINT LAURENT fuchsia and gold skirt with ruffled hem and long belt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Fuchsia and gold silk skirt with ruffled hem and long belt designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to the late 1970's. French size 36 however this also easily fit a French 38 or 40. ...
Burgundy wool pencil skirt SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Burgundy wool pencil skirt. Acetate & rayon lining. Zip, button and buttonhole closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. SIZE 34/XS
Navy blue wool pencil skirt YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue wool pencil skirt . Rayon lining. SIZE 40(Fr) on tag but fit more likely 38 (Fr) M
Navy blue wool pencil skirt SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue wool pencil skirt . Rayon and acetate lining. Button, buttonhole and zip closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. SIZE 44 on tag but fit more likely 36/S
Pale pink silk skirt YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale pink silk skirt . Rayon and acetate lining. Zip, button and buttonhole closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. SIZE 50 (Fr) XL
YSL Velvet Russian Pin Tucked skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection Pin tucked Wine Velvet skirt. Lays flat across hips and releases to fullness below. Color is off on images. The rich w...
Navy blue wool crêpe skirt suit YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue wool crêpe skirt suit . Fabric composition: 87% wool, 13% nylon. Acetate and rayon lining.Button, buttonhole and zip closure on the left side. Pocket on both side. SIZE ...
Fall/Winter 1976 Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection Paisley Peasant Skirt
By Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Green, red, navy blue and yellow paisley printed cotton peasant skirt from the 1976 Yves Saint Laurent Russian collection. The collection was "inspired by Russian folk dress and Léon Bakst’s costumes for the Ballet Russes. Full-skirted, billowing ensembles in vibrant jewel tones were styled with an array of shawls, head scarves...
NWT Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent F/W 2003 Lavender Silk Maxi Skirt Fr 36 US 4
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Silk Maxi Skirt F/W 2003 Runway Collection French size 36 - US 4 Artfully constructed from ruffles which are connected by ties to the ...
Printed long skirt YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed long skirt. Main fabric composition: 53% cotton, 47% rayon Orange satin lining. Invisible zip and hook&eye closure on the side. Belt-loop. Front lenght : 118cm Back lenght :...
Black velvet and taffetas puff skirt with bow YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black velvet and taffetas puff skirt with bow. Main fabric composition: 60% acetate, 40% silk. Lining composition: 55% acetate, 45% cupro. Zip and hook&eye closure on the left side....
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent S/S 2002 Mini Black Silk Woven Fringe Skirt S M
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Silk Mini Skirt S/S 2002 Runway Collection Designer sizes available S and M Super Sexy, 100% Si...
$450Sale Price|25% Off
Yves Saint Laurent Sequin Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
Black sequins are complemented by a black satin waistband and skirt edge on this side buttoning evening skirt. It is fully lined in black silk and marked a size 38. Measurements; W...
Off-white cotton skirt YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Off-white cotton skirt ; lining composition: 55% acetate, 45% rayon Pocket on both side. Invisible zip, button and buttonhole closure on the left side. SIZE 44 (Fr) L
Yves St Laurent Color Block Mermaid Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous flare hem color block skirt from Yves St Laurent, YSL Rive Gauche. It consist of olive green, black and lavender bias cut panels wrapping around the skirt flaring at th...
YSL Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche 1970's Black Leather skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Sharon, CT
YSL Soft black leather straight skirt. No pockets or pleats. Zipper and button on one side. Lined in acetate. Waist 26", length 24".
Yves Saint Laurent 1984 Vintage Floral Print Wool Skirt Size 38
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Authentic vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche skirt from the iconic Fall/Winter 1984 ready-to-wear collection. A true collector’s piece, this design reflects Yves Saint Laurent’s ...
1970s YSL Rive Gauche Red & Black Polka Dot Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
YSL Rive Gauche knee-length skirt featuring a graphic polka dot print in red and black. Constructed with stitched box pleats extending from the waist through the hips, creating a sof...
S/S 2004 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Blush Pink Silk Ribbon Tulle Skirt FR36
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a rare pink silk satin and tulle ribbon skirt designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche's Spring/Summer 2004 collection. Part of Ford's final spring collecti...
Yves Saint Laurent Colorblock Skirt, Circa 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yves Saint Laurent two tone color block cotton gabardine skirt. high waist. a line silhouette. ruffle & knife pleating. hidden hip pockets. side zip closure with hidden hook & eye. ...
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Indigo Blue A-Line Skirt, 1970s
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent indigo blue cotton skirt. high waist. a line silhouette. center front button placket and button closure waist. skirt ties at waist and has elastic at the b...
Black wrap velvet skirt with chiffon and lurex ruffles edge YSL Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black wrap velvet skirt with chiffon and lurex ruffles edge. Hook&eye closure on the waist + black satin ribbon on the side. SIZE 36 (Fr) S
Vintage YSL Rive Gauche Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
A great skirt for Fall. This skirt is in an attractive shade of brown with a velvet band at the hem. It is fully lined and gathered at the waist.
Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Velvet Vintage Skirt- '80s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Vintage black velvet skirt from Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, an iconic piece defined by timeless elegance and refined simplicity. Designed with a fitted midi silhouette, it enhances th...
YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 1960s 60s Gray Wool Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous tailored gray wool skirt by Yves Saint Laurent. Details: Fully Lined Side Metal Zip and Hook Closure Marked Size: 38 Estimated Size: Small Color: Gray Fabric: Wool Label: ...
Yves Saint Laurent Wine Velvet Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Claret Wine Cotton-rayon Velvet Skirt, easy construction with a series of inverted pleats which release from waist to fullness at hem. Side zip closure and practi...
YSL Rive Gauche skirt style kente vintage spring-summer 1994
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Genova, IT
YSL vintage 1994 kente style skirt ABOUT A stunning and rare vintage Yves Saint Laurent skirt from the summer 1994 rive gauche collection. The skirt is made of cotton with multicol...
$750Sale Price|21% Off
Stunning Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Silk Laser Cut High Waist Black Skirt Sz 44
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Diego, CA
Out of this world vintage YSL "Rive Gauche" laser cut black silk skirt! Intricate design, with an amazing fit. Fine silk that almost has a paper-like feel. So unique, yet so utterly ...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL 90s Logo + Stars Silk High Waist Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
1990s YVES SAINT LAURENT ' logo and stars' high waisted silk pencil skit! Features a black silk background, with brown, gray and white YSL logo and stars pri...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Pink Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
A bright pink vintage skirt, by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. The dress has a zip on the left hand side and 2 diagonal pockets. It has been profess...
1970s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Brown Corduroy A - Line Vintage Mide Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic late 1960s 60s / early 70s YVES SAINT LAURENT 'Rive Gauche' fine chocolate brown corduroy A-Line midi skirt! Super flattering fit, with the softest cotton corduroy fabric! Butto...
Yves Saint Laurent Silk Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Silk Pencil Skirt from the 1990's. Classic shape with large angled pockets and belt loops. Black raw silk fully lined with side zip entry. 1990's France. Size 36 V...
1970s Yves Saint Laurent Size 38 4/6 Navy Blue Brown Tan Vintage 70s Wool Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1970s YVES SAINT LAURNT Rive Gauche plaid wool skirt ! This YSL skirt has warm hues of navy blue, nude, tan and brown. Gold buttons down the fro...
Navy blue thin wool skirt with wrap fabric belt Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue thin wool skirt with wrap fabric belt . ( the belt is a part of the waist band, start on the left side, then go along the back and come back from the right side to get atta...
Navy blue wool pin-striped pencil skirt YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy blue wool pin-striped pencil skirt . Fabric composition: 90% wool, 10% cashmere. Rayon lining. Invisible zip closure on the left side. SIZE 36 (Fr) S
$124Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Yves Saint Laurent RG wool skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Port Hope, ON
A lovely skirt with a nice weight and double stitched seams. The skirt comes below the knee and has a high waist.
Yves Saint Laurent Fibranne Skirt, Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Fibranne Skirt, Rive Gauche in black rayon linen blend from the 1980's. Full gathers in front with less on back with button front entry. Classic timeless, 1980's F...
F/W 2001 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Black Mid-Length Flare Skirt FR 36
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This black flare skirt from Yves Saint Laurent’s Fall/Winter 2001 collection, designed by Tom Ford, features ruching and asymmetric seamed paneling. Finished with a ruffled hem with ...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent F/W 2002 Black Silk Ribbon Bow Skirt Fr. 38 - 6
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black Silk Ribbon Bow Skirt F/W 2002 Collection French size 38 - US 6 100% Silk, Ribbon Bow Accent, Fully Lined, Hook and Eye Closure, Back Slit. Meas...
Wool skirt with Paisley print ruffle and velvet ribbon Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long wool skirt with Paisley print, ruffle and velvet ribbon. Elastic waist band. Pocket on both side with rayon lining. SIZE 38 / S
Vintage Saint Laurent Green and Red Harlequin Print Tulle Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1980s Red, black, green and teal print harlequin tulle mini skirt. Skirt is paired with Jean Paul Gaultier burgundy mesh cropped sweater shirt with ostrich sleeves. ( sweater shirt a...
Black skirt with laces YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black skirt with laces on the side , middle front and waist . Fabric composition: 65% cotton, 35% Ramie 2 back pocket. Split on the middle back. SIZE 42 (Fr) XL
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage skirt by Yves Saint Laurent , Rive Gauche. The skirt is in a wool fabric with red and blue fleck and attractive pockets on the front. It has a side zip opening. Size ...
Black wool skirt with pocket on both side Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black wool skirt with pocket on both side. Acetate or rayon lining. Button, buttonhole and zip closure on the left side. Topstitched belt. SIZE 34 / XS
Early 2000s Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Black Silk Ruffle Button Skirt 36FR
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche skirt by Tom Ford from the early 2000s is cut in a slim, column silhouette. Crafted in black silk, it features controlled front ruching and a vert...
Red wool skirt with pocket on both side Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Red wool skirt with pocket on both side and topstitched waist. Buttons and buttonholes closure on the left side + zip. Rayon lining inside the pockets SIZE 34 / XS
Deep green wool jersey wrap dress with gold stud Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Deep green wool jersey wrap dress with gold dots. Main fabric composition: 100% wool. Lining: 55% acetate, 45% rayon. Fake pockets. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
F/W 2001 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Pleated Black Satin Flare Skirt FR36
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a black pleated Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche skirt, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this fabulous flare skirt features a high waist and satin...
YSL Rive Gauche black and white vintage spring/summer 1980 skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Genova, IT
YSL black and white skirt spring/summer 1980 ABOUT For lovers and collectors of Yves Saint Laurent here is a rare skirt from the YSL rive gauche spring-summer '80 collection. The s...
1985 YVES SAINT LAURENT black crepe maxi skirt with rhinestone buttons at back
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche skirt from the Fall 1985 runway collection. Constructed in black acetate and viscose, the skirt is cut in a slim, floor-length silhouette. A row of lar...
Yves Saint Laurent (attributed to) Striped Silk Faille Maxi Skirt - late 1970s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Charenton-le-pont, FR
A magnificent example of Yves Saint Laurent's late 1970s romantic era. This floor-length skirt is crafted from heavy silk faille, featuring bold pistachio and ivory stripes that catc...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Wrap Over Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
A great vintage skirt for Fall from Yves Saint Laurent., Rive Gauche line.
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Silk Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
A vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche black silk skirt. The skirt has a side zip opening , and is fully lined. The skirt is m...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Le Smoking Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
A chic vintage skirt 'Le Smoking' tuxedo by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. The skirt is wool and fully lined, with sloping pockets and a zip on the left hand side. It has gathering...