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.
Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal Earrings from the late 1980's. Large natural rock crystals are caged in golden wire to form this incredible iconic desig...
Rock Crystal, Bronze, Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Brass
Early Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Fish Bangle
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Early Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Fish Bangle from the 1970's. Carved with 2 fish meeting at the center of a clam shell motif with red stain. Unsigned Rive Gauche. 1970's France.
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Diamante Logo Statement Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Iconic vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT collectible gold-toned (metal dore) dangling clip-on earrings featuring the YSL monogram embellished with clear crystals. Marked YSL Made in France.
Vintage “YSL” Yves Saint Laurent Retro Lighter, Circa 1980s Original Case
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Vintage “YSL” Yves Saint Laurent Retro Cigarette Lighter, Circa 1980s Original Case “YSL” Yves Saint Laurent retro cigarette lighter Logo Gold Black Gray Blue The Luhgter is in min...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Turquoise, Red & Green Beaded Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stunning 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Lou Lou de la Falaise era statement necklace. Green faceted glass diamond shaped beads with three l...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Logo Gold Plate Tie Clip Original Case, Circa 90s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Logo Tie Clip Original Case gold plate and stainless steel tie clip featuring a front Dior logo, in original YSL chocolate suede Case. Circa 1990s In...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Turquoise Bead Gilt Nautilus Shell Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Turquoise Gilt Nautilus Shell Tassel Necklace for YSL Rive Gauche. Natural turquoise beads hand knotted onto a hammered gilt b...
Turquoise, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Massive Crystal Yves Saint Laurent Ear Clips
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Massive Crystal Yves Saint Laurent Ear Clips with signature radiant faceted rose cut crystal. Gilt metal knife edge settings. Late 1980's France...
Gilt Metal
Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal Earrings from the late 1980's. Large natural rock crystals are caged in patinaed silve...
Rock Crystal, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent 1970s Bakelite Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent 1970s large bakelite earclips. Designed in the Art Deco Revival taste of white bakelite overlapping elliptical half ovals, set ...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Long Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Chinese inspired long earrings. Of fuschia and bright pink crystal rhinestones set in blackened antiqued silver and japan...
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Silver Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Early Rive Gauche Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent 1966 laquered wood and polished brass Rive Gauche drop ear clips. Of signature YSL orange and fuschia colors. The modern de...
Brass, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Chinese Collection Ear Clips
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Chinese Collection long pendant ear clips with asymetrical brown resin pebble ear tops suspending round infinity motifs of carved a...
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Gold Ball Statement Necklace/Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Phenomenal vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche chunky woven gold chain and ball belt/necklace - signed YSL Rive Gauche.
Gold
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Long Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche mauve and gold ceramic drop earrings with citrine pear shape crystal drops, suspended from a large gilt metal pansy. Wonderfully unusual mix of materi...
Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Red White Black Link Rope Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a colourful nautical design rope necklace created by YSL in 1980’s. The piece features red, white and black enamelled metal link details in the centre. The black twisted silk...
Enamel
Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gauche, 1980s Necklace / Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and in excellent condition 1980s Yves Saint Laurent gold belt or necklace. The belt has a small hook and eye clasp and may easily be worn as a necklace as shown on a neck...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Dot Bangle
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Bakelite Bangle from the 1980s. Unlike vintage bakelite bangles the black dots are raised domes. Period paper YSL label. 198...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Glass and Gold Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Stunning 1980's Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche earrings. Round, with clear crackled, broken poured glass. Gold tone backing and large 3 prong settings. Clip ons. Excellent vintage co...
Gilt Metal
Rare Yves Saint Laurent Wheat Brooch, Iconic Museum Piece, c.1987–1990
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
Elegant vintage Yves Saint Laurent brooch featuring the house’s iconic wheat motif, one of the most symbolic and personally significant emblems in Saint Laurent’s universe. It is written in book that it was one of the favorite bijoux of Yves Saint Laurent we also see at the same book that it was on Loulou de La Falaise, Saint Laurent’s muse and artistic collaborator, who personally wore this motif. Crafted in textured gold-tone metal, it reflects the artisanal aesthetic of late-1980s YSL jewelry, a period when golden wheat frequently appeared on Haute Couture hats...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Enamel and Rhinestone "Hearts" Pendent
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent " hearts" motif pendent, composed of four red enamel hearts, surrounding a faceted crystal dark stone with four tear shaped rhinestones encased in gold between eac...
Other, Base Metal, Enamel
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Early Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche gilt and silver gilt articulated snake necklace, composed of hundreds of silver toned caps with a ribbed gold central bead. This style of necklace was ...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Gilt Metal
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT 70's Gold & Green Stones Cuff
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in PARIS, FR
This unique vintage from Yves Saint Laurent from the 70's is a gold-plated clamper/cuff bracelet. Designed like branches of bamboo, there are different-shaped, naturally looking, gre...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Bronze Toned Drop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent, Rive Gaiche, jumbo size, bronze tone, large tear drop shape, drop, clip on earrings having, an abstract engraved pattern and a reddish orange, glass tear drop emb...
Base Metal
Rare Vintage Yves Saint Tie Pin, Gold Plate & Steel, logo “Circa 1990s”
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Logo Tie Pin In Box gold plate and stainless steel tie pin featuring a front Dior logo, in original YSL chocolate suede Case. Circa 1990s In fantasti...
Gold, Gold Plate, Steel, Stainless Steel
Yves Saint Laurent Enamel Heart Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Iconic Enamel Heart Earrings from the 1980's. Rich emerald green enamel decorates the abstract heart shaped forms by Maison Goossens. 1...
Bronze, Enamel
Early Yves Saint Laurent Heart Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Early and Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Heart(break) Brooch of gilt metal, black enamel with broken pave "line" down the center. 1970's France. E...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Bib, 1989 Lou Lou de la Falaise
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Bib by Lou Lou de la Falaise of silvered mirrored medallions, faux pearls, and patinaed ribbed wood beads. Prominently used in...
Silver Plate
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT 70's Flower Brooch/Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in PARIS, FR
This original and one-of-a-kind brooch is a vintage piece from Yves Saint Laurent from the 70's. Gold-toned, it is designed as a flower, composed of four petals with wired chains/lin...
Rock Crystal, Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Heart Pendant Necklace 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in US
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche 1980s vintage choker necklace includes a silver massive heart pendant on a silver snake chain with a hook-and-eye clasp closure. Metal has an aged pati...
Base Metal
Yves Sant Laurent Rive Gauch Paris clip-on earrings in the shape of a leaf 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Yves Sant Laurent Rive Gauch Paris ear clips in the form of a leaf with blue-green iridescent cut rhinestone from the 1980s. It's a very extraordinary ear clip from YSL. Measuremen...
Crystal, Brass