$1,325
H 1.75 in W 1.75 in D 0.25 in Dm 1.75 in L 1.75 in
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche YSL Butterfly Earrings Circa 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche YSL Earrings. Butterfly Earrings with Pink and Blue Crystal
Mixed Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Butterfly Sunglasses IRIS 52/14 135mm
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Rome, Rome
sunglasses capture the timeless allure that defined YSL's golden years. The butterfly silhouette flatters the
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Butterfly Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned openwork butterfly brooch embellished with ruby red
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Butterfly Purple Enamel Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive gold tone butterfly clip-on earrings embellished with purple
Gilt Metal
$458
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Butterfly Purple Enamel Ripple Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Butterfly Bow Purple Enamel Ripple Elegant Modernist
Gold Plate, Enamel
$458
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Arty Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Brooch, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Knot Bow Butterfly Ribbon Pendant Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Knot Bow Ribbon Pendant Foldable Chain Chunky Choker
Gold Plate
$1,725
H 2 in W 2 in D 0.25 in Dm 3.2 in L 7.5 in
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Flower and Butterfly Gold Crystal Cuff Circa 1980
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage YSL Flower and Butterfly Gold Tone with Crystal Cuff. Such a Pretty Work of Art. Not
Mixed Metal
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Enamel Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Enamel Brooch Measurements: Height: 2 inches (5.08 cm
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Enamel Charm Pendant Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Enamel Charm Pendant Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.30
Unavailable
H 1.97 in W 1.7 in D 0.2 in L 1.97 in
Yves Saint Laurent Purple Enamel Butterfly Brooch YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
A vintage butterfly brooch by Yves Saint Laurent in gold plated metal with purple enamel. It
Base Metal, Gold Plate
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Jewelled Butterfly Red Leather Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Jewelled Butterfly Red Leather Belt Measurements: Buckle Height
Vintage 1993 YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Butterfly Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1993 YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Butterfly Earrings Measurements: Height
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Butterfly Rhinestone Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Butterfly Rhinestone Earrings Measurements
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Butterfly Coral Branch Earring
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Butterfly Coral Branch Earrings Measurements
Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche Silk Butterfly-Print Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York City, NY
perfect thing. YSL's style was revolutionary and classic at the same time. The soft silk
YSL "Butterfly" Tunic
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
YSl black and white silk, "butterfly" motif, smock style, tunic with side pockets.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Butterfly Print Silk Day Dress w/Balloon Sleeves 1970s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Studio City, CA
A 1970's Yves Saint Laurent black silk day dress with white butterfly print, elasticized square
YSL Rive Gauche Butterfly earrings
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
Designed in France by Robert Goossens, this beautiful pair of YSL pre-owned butterfly earrings are
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Butterfly Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned butterfly dangling earrings (clip-on) embellished
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Toned Jewelled Butterflies Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned necklace featuring butterfly links embellished with an aqua
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Butterfly Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned butterfly clip-on earrings embellished with blue
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Purple Enamel Butterfly Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an iconic butterfly brooch designed by YSL in 1980’s. The piece is gold plated, adorned
Gold Plate, Enamel
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Purple Butterfly Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an iconic butterfly mini brooch pin designed by YSL in 1980’s. The piece is gold plated
Gold Plate
Sold
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Arty Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Brooch, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Modernist Elegant Pin Brooch
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Butterfly Purple Enamel Ripple Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Butterfly Bow Purple Enamel Ripple Elegant Modernist
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
In excellent condition. Signed at the rear. 100% Genuine. Signed on the back YSL, Made in France
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.58 in L 1.78 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Large Purple Enamel Butterfly Gold Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
In excellent condition. Signed at the rear. 100% Genuine. Signed on the back YSL, Made in France
Gold Plate, Enamel
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Bow Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
garment. Signed on the back YSL, Made in France. Size: 3.0*2.6 cm. Weight: 10 g. _ _ _ Great for
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Gold Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Brooch Pin, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Gold Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Brooch Pin, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Gold Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Brooch Pin, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Haute Couture Silk Butterfly Print Dress No.54033
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Studio City, CA
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent haute couture black & white butterfly print silk day dress featuring
YSL Silk Day Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
YSL, silk butterfly print, silk, peasant style day dress with flounced hem.
Vintage Goossens for YSL Butterfly Drop Earring Circa 1980
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
24-carat gilded bronze hand hammered oversized butterfly clip with rock crystal drop. Clip
Rock Crystal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Goldtone Butterflies Bracelet
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Atlanta, GA
This cute Yves Saint Laurent YSL Paris link bracelet features a butterfly shape with gilded metal
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Butterfly Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned butterfly necklace embellished with crystals and
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Butterfly Bracelet
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned butterfly bracelet embellished with blue faux pearl
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Butterfly Choker Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
butterfly center, charms, faux pearl drops, glass cabochons and crystal embellishement. Adjustable hook
1970s YSL 545 tan and biscuit colour butterfly sunglasses.
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
A groovy pair of butterfly sunglasses number 545 by Yves Saint Laurent. The arms are a tan/brown
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Jewelled Butterfly Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT gorgeous jewelled cut-out butterfly clip-on earrings. Embossed YSL Made in
Yves Saint Laurent Green Enamel Crystal Butterfly Earrings YSL, 1993
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
every look to the next level. From that collection, these butterfly earrings were crafted in France by
Crystal, Enamel
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Jewelled Butterfly Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive openwork butterfly clip-on earrings with blue shade crystal
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Green Enamel and Gold Butterfly Pin YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A rare and stunning Yves Saint Laurent 1993 Runway Butterfly pin/ brooch. Green enamel, set in a
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Purple + Gold Butterfly Brooch Pin Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Add a little something to any outfit with this vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT purple and gold brooch pin! Features a beautiful regal jewel tone. In great condition. Made in France
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Vivid Purple Enamel Butterfly Pin Brooch, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Yves Saint Laurent Silk Brocade Jacket Butterfly Skirt Ensemble Runway YSL, 1989
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Encompassing his appeal for international inspiration, YSL blended Eurasian styles with his usual
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage 1980s Purple Enamel Butterfly Gold Pin Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
garment. Signed on the back YSL, Made in France. Size: 3.0*2.6 cm. Weight: 10 g. _ _ _ Great for
Gold Plate, Enamel
Sold
W 1.78 in L 1.97 in
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Purple Butterfly Clip on Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an iconic pair of butterfly clip on earrings designed by YSL in 1980’s. The piece is gold
Gold Plate
Sold
W 1.03 in L 1.19 in
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Gold Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980 Vivid Butterfly Glow Purple Brooch Pin, Gold Plated In
Gold Plate, Enamel
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Butterfly Jeweled Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Butterfly Jeweled Earrings Measurements: Height: 1 6/8 inches Width
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Oversized Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Oversized Sunglasses Measurements: Height: 2.36 inches (6
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Maison Gripoix Butterfly Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Maison Gripoix Butterfly Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.57 inches
Vintage Massive YSL Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Butterfly Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive YSL Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Butterfly Mother of Pearl Jewelled
Massive YSL Yves Saint Laurent Robert Goossens Butterfly Mother of Pearl Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive YSL Yves Saint Laurent by Robert Goossens Butterfly Mother of Pearl Jeweled Brooch
Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche Butterfly Corset Top
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York City, NY
perfect thing. YSL's style was revolutionary and classic at the same time. The soft silk
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Ear Clips
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Catherine Deneuve collection, who wore them along with black YSL stilettos with the same butterflies as shoe
Gold Plate
Huge Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Scarf / wrap
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Newport Beach, CA
butterfly border. YSL box logo is prominently printed at the lower right corner of the scarf. Fringe style
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Rhinestone Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Rhinestone Brooch Measurements: Height: 1.65 inches (4.2
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Violet Enamel Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Butterfly Violet Enamel Earrings Measurements: Height: 2.12 inches
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent Butterfly Rhinestone Openwork Bracelet Cuff
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent Butterfly Rhinestone Openwork Bracelet Cuff Measurements: Height: 2
Yves Saint Laurent YSL huge tiger Butterfly Print Scarf 55"leopard base
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Incredible and absolutely breathtaking hand rolled silk / silk chiffon oversized square scarf by Yves Saint Laurent. Measures 55" by 55" never used new
Zodiac Pendant Neckace, Coco Chanel, Goosens
By Chanel
Located in Riverdale, NY
Important necklace in Chanel's zodiac style with a Capricorn pendant suspended from a elaborately wire wrapped collar. The Zodiac again figures prominently here in her lexicon of mot...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Multicolored Resin Cabochons Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone necklace featuring round and oval multicolored (blue, purple, green) resin cabochons. T bar and heart toggle closure. Adjustable length. Emboss...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Passementerie Tassel Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring black beaded top, large multifaceted resin bead and black passementerie tassel. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indica...
GIVENCHY COUTURE A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Cheetah Print Faux Fur Paneled Coat
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY COUTURE A/W 1997 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Cheetah Print Faux Fur Paneled Coat Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Couture Collection: A/W 1997 (Runway) Designer: Alexander McQueen Styl...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Red Cabochon Textured Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured clip-on earrings featuring a large ruby red colour resin cabochon. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 4....
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT Brocade Jacket Skirt Red Suit "Les Chinoises" Collection 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
A stunning vintage, RARE Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Runway Collection suit from Yves Saint Laurent "Les Chinoises" 1990, a "Must-Have"! The “Spanish” collection was followed by th...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Bird Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone necklace featuring bird links embellished with clear crystals. S hook clasp closure. Embossed YSL. Indicative measurements : length approx. 50...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned dangling earrings (clip on) embellished with multicolor crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : height approx. 10 cm ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Thistle Long Earrings
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent long gilt byzantine, thistle motif incised earclips by Robert Goossens. Length 3", Width 2". Excellent condition. Robert Goossens, the son of a metal foundry wo...
Bronze, Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Heart Gold-Plated Clip Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Yves Saint Laurent - (Made in France) Gold-plated clip earrings featuring a heart paved with rhinestones. Additional information: Dimensions: 3 W x 3.2 cm Condition: Very good condi...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Golden Metal Earrings with Multicolored Enamel
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Yves Saint Laurent - (Made in France) Golden metal earrings with multicolored enamel. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm Seller Refe...
Enamel
$6,250
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 0.5 in Dm 5 in L 16 in
Vintage Maison Goossens Yves Saint Laurent YSL Rock Crystal Necklace Circa 1990s
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Maison Goossens Yves Saint Laurent YSL Rock Crystal Collar Heavy Necklace. Couture at its best. Long and Short Pieces of Gold Tone Spikes Rock Crystal. Looks as if Bars o...
Mixed Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Clip-on Earrings with Rhinestones
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Yves Saint Laurent (Made in France) Gilted metal clip-on earrings paved with green and blue rhinestones. Additional information: Dimensions: 4 W x 4 H cm (1.57" W x 1.57" H) Conditi...
Gilt Metal
$825
H 2.4 in W 1.5 in D 0.25 in Dm 1.5 in L 2.4 in
Vintage Ungaro Gold Dangling Butterfly Earrings Circa 1980s
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ungaro Gold Dangling Butterfly Earrings Circa 1980s. These are double earrings of a smaller and then larger butterfly. They are so chic and will make any outfit look polishe...
Mixed Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Asymmetrical Earrings, Maison Goossens
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Baroque asymmetric long imposing earrings of ornate gold plated filigree, amythest and topaz pate de verre beads and oval cabochons with cut cr...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
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.
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.
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.
When it comes to the legendary French design house, there is no substitute for true craftsmanship. Xupes shows us how to spot it.
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.
Art director Morgan Cole was working at a major fashion house when she got engaged, but she found her dream dress on 1stdibs.