Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Dot Bangle
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Unlike vintage bakelite bangles the black dots are raised domes. Period paper YSL label. 1980's France. 1.5" wide. 2.5" interior opening.
Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Dot Bangle
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Unlike vintage bakelite bangles the black dots are raised domes. Period paper YSL label. 1980's France. 1.5" wide. 2.5" interior opening.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Iconic Leopard Striped Sheer Print Stole
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
Could be worn so many different ways ! Embroidered YSL. Label reads YVES SAINT LAURENT Foulards Made in France.
$2,275
Size: 22.5 inches / Medium
Rare F/W 1968 Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Jeweled Mohair Toque 1960s Hat Museum
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Measurements Interior circumference: 22.5 inches Modern equivalent: 57 cm / US 7 1/8 / Medium Details • Black Austrian mohair fur-felt body • Gold metallic passementerie trim • Mu...
1980's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Red and Black Couture Label Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Very simple yet chic Yves Saint Laurent red and black couture label suit from the 1980s. The black wool gabardine jacket with red piping and buttons is the perfect piece to be worn w...
Yves Saint Laurent Straw and Black Patent Leather Red Poppy Flower Hat, 1970s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Unlined, the interior of the hat has a Tiffany blue sweatband with the original YSL label still intact. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while incr...
YSL rive gauche double-breasted navy blue jacket year 1992
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Genova, IT
Misure: spalle 41 cm seno 45 cm manica 51 cm lunghezza 61 cm vita 43...
Early 1980s YSL Black Cropped Blazer with Velvet Lapel and Crystal Accents
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Late 1970s, early 1980s YSL Rive Gauche label cropped black evening blazer.
$2,209Sale Price|25% Off
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Black Astrakhan Fur Bolero Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
. - Long sleeves - Shoulder pads - Fully lined (YSL signature black lining). Label reads YVES SAINT LAURENT Fourrures.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Haute Couture Red / Green Stripe Silk Chiffon Dress, 1991
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Closing at the front with hand-sewn snaps and hooks, the bodice of the dress is carefully lined in a red silk chiffon, while the skirt in lined in a green chiffon. This haute couture...
Yves Saint Laurent butterfly brooch of vintage 1990s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Genova, IT
TAGLIA & MISURE La spilla misura cm 5 x 4,5 CONDIZIONI In ottime condizioni. LABELS Monogramma YSL e made in France sul retro.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche F/W 1977 'Les Chinoises' Grey Wool Coat
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A spectacular addition to any YSL collector's archive. Labeled FR 42—fits a range of sizes, would likely overwhelm XS or very petite frames.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Black Wool Pencil Skirt -
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Milano, IT
Fully lined and finished with a side zipper and hook closure, the skirt retains its original YSL Rive Gauche interior label along with a rare handwritten production tag — a distincti...
1980s YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage White Cotton Cropped Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
We think jackets like these are such great pieces to add to any wardrobe because they can elevate any separates or dresses you already own! This fun YSL jacket is labeled a size 36,...
1980’s YSL Gold Plated Four Leaf Clover Clip- On Earrings Costume Jewellery
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
LABEL – YSL FABRIC/FIBRE/MATERIAL – Gold Plate on Metal, Acrylic Weight: Medium COLOUR – Yellow Gold, Ivory Pearl DATE – 1980s CLOSURE – Clip-On CONDITION – Excellent, minor sign...
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent 1970s Burgundy Red Fringe Wool Knit Sweater
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
Fits a size S/M and has the YSL Tricots label. BUST: up to 38" WAIST: 38'' SHOULDER: 16" SLEEVE LENGTH: 27'' LENGTH: 32''
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Yves Saint Laurent Orange & Black Striped Silk Vintage Blouse With Sash Bow
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
The blouse has a pointed collar, buttons up the front and it has the signature YSL gathered yoke. Labeled a size 36. We use measurements instead of size numbers because we find them ...
Unavailable
Size: See Description
Yves Saint Laurent Plaid Silk and Black Velvet Vintage Long Sleeve Top
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
Excellent condition, no flaws found. This YSL top is labeled a size FR 34, and this top is meant to be worn blousey so we estimate this would best fit a modern size small, but can fi...
70s Yves Saint Laurent Navy Wool Belted Coat with Hood YSL sz 40
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
In good condition for its 40+ years of age, we note a small tear to the lining (just above the YSL label) and a missing button in front. Tagged YVES SAINT LAURENT and size 40, it mea...
YSL Haute Couture Evening Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
The dress is fully lined in cream silk and bears the numbered couture YSL label. This dress is from the estate of a prominent New Yorker who was a member of the International Best...
c1970's Silk chiffon Yves Saint Laurent Attr Evening Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
This is an important and exceptional silk chiffon Yves Saint Laurent dress. It has no YSL label any longer but bears the label of the shop "Anna-David Marber" where it was sold.
Sold
Size: measurements in description
Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Color Block Snakeskin Trim Bowler Hat YSL, 1990s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Measurements: Size: 57 Measurements: Brim: 2.5 inches Crown height: 3 inches Circumference: 23 inches In excellent condition, the interior of the hat features a teal grosgrain swea...
YVES SAINT LAURENT Brocade Jacket Skirt Red Suit "Les Chinoises" Collection 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in London, GB
Signed YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE PARIS, made in France. YSL Label in the jacket and skirt, composition label only in the skirt with serial number RG H90 1 226 – S/ENS 4 403.
1970's YSL Haute Couture Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
This stunning outfit bears the numbered YSL Haute Couture label and it is in pristine condition.
1960s Yves Saint Laurent YSL Red Balloon Sleeve Shirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1960s YSL Rive Gauche label red wool balloon sleeve shirt.
Vintage YSL Rive Gauche black wool pleat front skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in NEWARK, GB
Perfect for the office or formal events. Labelled for YSL Rive Gauche, Made in France size 34, 100% wool.
1970's Yves Saint Laurent/YSL Black Floral Skirt Ensemble
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1970's Yves Saint Laurent /YSL Rive Gauche label cotton skirt ensemble with a vibrant floral pattern.
YVES SAINT LAURENT
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lemon yellow and metallic brocade mini dress with high crew neck, short cap sleeves and zip back closure. Early 60's YSL with large Rive Gauche label.
Yves Saint Laurent Blue & Brown Silk Geometric Scarf, 1970's
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Atlanta, GA
The geometric design has a playful feel reminiscent of tic-tac-toe. There is no label though the YSL logo is incorporated into the design.
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Ball Gown
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
This gorgeous is in excellent condition and bears the YSL Haute Couture numbered label. Measurements; Bust 34" Waist 26" Hips Full Sleeve 23" Length center back to hem 53"
Sold
Size: FR 40 (Best Fits U.S. 8)
YVES SAINT LAURENT 3 Piece Dress Ensemble With Draped Cummerbund, C.1990
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Atlanta, GA
The cummerbund belt hooks at the side and really is the piece de resistance adding a flourish of movement and color contrast for the ultimate YSL touch. All pieces are labelled. CON...
Rare YSL 1960s Yves Saint Laurent Beaded Cloche Hat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wallkill, NY
Cream wool fabric. Saks Fifth Ave label as well as YSL label Finished with a narrow turquoise grosgrain ribbon.
An Yves Saint Laurent Evening Small Purse Circa 1980/1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toulon, FR
Closing by clips in golden brass and Swarovski faceted crystals labeled YSL. Label inside the bag in gold on black background Yves Saint Laurent Rive gauche.
Yves Saint Laurent / Robert Goossens Coral Bracelet Circa 1980
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toulon, FR
Bracelet made up of hammered gilded metal rings interspersed with twisted links in coral-style red enameled metal, signed on the two heart closure rings.never used, presence of the o...
Coral
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Red Green Multicolored Striped Blouse / Skirt Set, 1990s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The simplicity in the patterning speaks to the YSL label, however the often mixture of bold or dizzying color combinations made these designs anything but boring.
Yves Saint Laurent Sheer Slate Blue Silk Georgette Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
The former owner removed part of the YSL label because it showed through the fabric at the back of the blouse.
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Paisley Shawl
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
Please note that true colors are closer to photos 2 and 10. YSL logo. Label reads YVES SAINT LAURENT Foulards.
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Belted Pencil Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Belted Pencil Skirt Measurements taken laid flat, please double waist and hips: Waist: 12.59 inches (32 cm) Hips: 17 inches (43.18 cm) Length: 27.95 i...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1970s Peasant Floral Shawl
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
Fringed borders. Printed YSL. No labels attached. Indicative measurements : 132 cm (51.97 inches) x 132 cm (51.97 inches).
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Iconic Leopard Print Coat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
. - Black quilted fabric lining with YSL logos. Label reads YVES SAINT LAURENT Fourrures.
Yves Saint Laurent Large Silk Scarf Shawl Paisley Floral Jacquard YSL 34in 1990s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
In good condition given its age, with two teensy pin holes, noted during light test, but hard to see unless very closely inspecting. Stamped YSL in print; care/content label is missing
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
These sharp shades are Yves Saint Laurent iclassic 1990s oval frames, they've got the YSL Logo on the temples. Label: Yves Saint Laurent.
1972 Yves Saint Laurent Numbered Haute Couture Gown, Museum de-accession
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
The skirt has two pockets concealed in the folds. The dress bears the YSL Haute Couture label as well as a museum collection number.
1970s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Eggplant Purple Silk Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A classic that never goes out of style, this YSL Rive Gauche label silk blouse from the late 1970s is in excellent condition.
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Brown Mink Belted Fur Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Amsterdam, NL
It has 5 gold coloured buttons, no pockets and has a leather belt. The label of YSL Paris is numbered nr. 013903 Its in vintage condition with minor wear in the lining Size fits lik...
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Black & White Silk Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
It is fully lined in white silk and bears the YSL Couture label. It is in excellent condition.
Yves Saint Laurent Safari Style Fine Cotton Scarf, 1970's
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Atlanta, GA
The feather weight weave of the cotton is perfect for warm weather seasons and the style of the design would coordinate well with YSL safari looks. No label present though the 'YSL'...
Yves Saint Laurent Cream Silk Georgette Haute Couture Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New Hope, PA
Sheer light weight silk georgette is used for this runway worn couture blouse. It bears the YSL muslin label of Atelier Catherine as well as the name of the model Diana and the numbe...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1989 Orange Animal Print Runway Dress With Sash
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
This unlined YSL day dress is labeled Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, made in France.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Jacket Silk Striped Zip Front Vintage YSL France
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
This versatile coat has the YSL Rive Gauche label, front side slit pockets and it is in excellent condition.
Yves Saint laurent Shoes worn by Shalom Harlow on runway
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toronto, ON
Yves Saint laurent (circa 1990's) green velvet heels. Worn on YSL runway by Shalom Harlow. Not used since. Acquired by owner from YSL himself.
Sold
Size: see description
Yves Saint Laurent Blue & Black Cotton Poplin Peasant Style Dress W Puff Sleeves
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Portland, OR
We think this dress embodies a lot of YSL's most memorable style elements. Labeled a French size 34 and fits a size XS.
Yves Saint Laurent Multi Strand Pink Faux Pearl Necklace W Pierced Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
The pierced earrings are pink mauve teardrop shaped faux pearls outlined with gold and clear rhinestones. Labeled YSL on each piece. CONDITION: Very Good - both necklace and earrings...
Yves Saint Laurent 3 Pc Gold Plated Necklace Bracelet & Earring Set 2 Crystals
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
The bracelet has a toggle style closure and the necklace has a crescent moon lobster claw closure. Each piece is labeled YSL,and the necklace and bracelet also say Made in France.
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche 1990s YSL Vintage Cashmere Jacket Size 38
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
The jacket has pockets and can be dressed up for the evening or worn during the day with jeans, with or without a belt. This versatile YSL piece is labeled a French size 38 which is...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Textured Gold Ring W Black Glass Size 8 YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
This would make a great gift for anyone who loves YSL or unique, one of a kind jewelry pieces! Labeled YSL and size 8.
YSL 1970s Vintage Hat Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Curly Lambswool Knit Ca
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
Yves Saint Laurent mint condition vintage curly lambswool hat with the 70's YSL "Rive Gauche" Paris label. This fabulous 1970's hat measures 21” unstretched and has a 3” knit band w...
Vintage YSL Rive Gauche Silk Dress Stripes Yves Saint Laurent Paris 36 Bow
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
This dress is in excellent condition and appears to have been barely ever worn. This YSL dress is labeled a French size 36, though the measurements offer the best guide to a good fi...
Yves Saint Laurent Early 1980s Black White Linen YSL Vintage Dress Size 38 US 6
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
She had every major designer you could imagine from the 1950s through the early 1980's. This dress has the YSL variations label and is from the early 1980's.
Sold
Size: French 36 see description
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage YSL Dress 2 pc Black Evening Gown 1970s Size 36 US 2
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
The outfit comes with its original black velvet belt that is also marked YSL. The pieces are each labeled a size 36 (French) and I would estimate them to be a modern day US size 2.
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Extra Large Brown & Gray Wool Challis Scarf
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Portland, OR
Labeled YSL Excellent Condition DIMENSIONS: 54" X 57"
YVES SAINT LAURENT 1970's Couture Hooded Evening Gown
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Amazing and rare YVES SAINT LAURENT 1970s Couture Silk Chiffon Hooded Evening Gown. Features YSL unique couture numbering on label. Made from textured silk chiffon and fully lin...
Loris Azzaro 1970s Silk Jersey Vintage Pink Empire Dress Gown
By Loris Azzaro
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage 1970s Loris Azzaro pink silk jersey gown! Beautiful bodice, with a draped, Grecian/Empire feel to the body. Zipper works great, just could not fit the dress form. In...
Beautiful Vintage White Sheer Pearl + Beads + Sequins Encrusted Shawl Scarf
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage white sheer oversized piano shawl / scarf! Feature thousands of hand-sewn pearl, beads, rhinestones and sequins. Pearl tassels feature pink iridescent pailliettes o...
Beautiful Bill Blass Vintage Sz 6 / 8 Navy Blue Silk Satin 90s Gown + Shawl
By Bill Blass
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1990s BILL BLASS Couture navy blue silk satin strapless mermaid gown and matching shawl. Strapless bodice features a super soft silk velvet in navy. Interior support holds ...
New Tom Ford for Gucci F/W 2002 Black Silk Gown with Leather Tie It. 44
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Gucci Black Silk Gown Fall/Winter 2002 Collection Designer size 44 If you're looking for that incredible dress that Helen Hunt wore at the Oscars and one of the models i...
S/S 1996 Atelier Versace Haute Couture Copper Lace Leopard Rhinestone Mini Dress
By Gianni Versace, Atelier Versace
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an incredible leopard print chiffon and copper lace Atelier Versace mini dress, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1996 collection, a version of this super...
$995
Size: Small - Medium
Amazing Vintage Escada by Margaretha Ley Leather Suede Color Block Bomber Jacket
By Escada Margaretha Ley, Escada
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage ESCADA by MARGARETHA LEY suede and leather color block bomber jacket! Features suede patches in vibrant colors of purple and blue, intertwined with soft gold leather....
Late 1990s Dolce & Gabbana Black Satin Bustier Bodysuit Midi Cocktail Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From the late 1990s, this black satin Dolce & Gabbana slip dress is the ultimate little black dress. This chic dress falls below the knee and features a built-in bodysuit, interior c...
$43,700
Size: IT 38 - FR 34 - UK 6 - US 2
Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton dusty pink fur coat, fw 2012
By Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
▪ Alexander McQueen dusty pink fur coat ▪ Designed by Sarah Burton ▪ Dyed Mongolian Lamb, Mink fur and Ostrich feathers ▪ Leather belt with silver shell detail ▪ Mirrored visor shad...
$5,786
Size: approx. IT44 - FR40 - UK12 - US8
Versace Silk Chiffon Slip Dress with Baroque Print & Lace Trim, SS 2005
By Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
This Versace dress from the Spring-Summer 2005 collection is crafted from silk chiffon, featuring a lightweight, airy construction with a slip dress silhouette. The intricate multico...
Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful silk dress in a pink and green geometric print from Dolce & Gabbana. The bodice is vertically boned, fitted through to the hips and has an attached matching pink adjusta...
$5,735
Size: FR 38 - IT 42 - UK 10 - US 6
Dolce & Gabbana black silk spandex and leather lace up dress, ss 2003
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
Dolce & Gabbana; black silk spandex figure hugging evening dress. - Lambskin leather grommet trim - Open on both sides with lace up fastenings - Invisible side zip closure ...
BADGLEY MISCHKA Vintage Silk Dusty Yellow Gold Embellished Gown
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Badgley Mischka Vintage 100% Silk Golden Dusty Yellow Hues Impeccable beadwork throughout This gown is truly one of a kind amazing, my pictures do not do it justice Size US 12 Excel...
HERVE LEGER 1997 Vintage Black & White Maxi Long Dress
By Herve Léger
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Herve Leger Vintage SS97 Jet black and white Strapless, but comes with a removable halter strap Back zip Really sucks you in, especially around the waist Size Large, but fits more li...
$12,290
Size: FR 36 - IT 40 - UK 8
Alexander McQueen red silk chiffon empire evening dress with train, fw 2008
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen red crinkled silk chiffon empire evening dress with long train, structured bust and draped skirt. Fall-Winter 2008
$6,185Sale Price|25% Off
Christian Dior By John Galliano S/S 2005 Chocolate Couture Runway croco bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Milano, IT
- Designed by John Galliano - Sold by Skof.Archive - Spring-Summer 2005 Couture Runway - Chocolate couture runway detective croco bag - Two front pockets - Large silver tone ‘CD’ c...
$935
Size: Recommended Size; UK 8
Spring 2010 Vivienne Westwood shiny black Wet Look Corset Cocktail Dress
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in Sheffield, GB
Spring / Summer 2010 Vivienne Westwood Corset Dress, in a shiny black wet-look material that clings beautifully to the body. The dress features an inbuilt boned interior corset, stra...
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.