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.
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Colorful Floral Maxi Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Celebrate the vibrancy of classic couture with the Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Colorful Floral Maxi Skirt, a radiant expression of the designer’s iconic love for bold prints and effor...
Yves Saint Laurent 1960s YSL Gold Raffia Strawl Vintage 60s Cloche Hat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 1960s YVES SAINT LAURENT gold raffia straw cloche hat ! Features a beautiful muted gold. Can be worn multiple ways, as pictured. Pair with jeans ...
Yves Saint Laurent FW 2003 Archival Liquid Silk Jacket Dramatic Shoulders Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Berlin, BE
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche FW 2003 Silk Jacket Documented Runway Piece The Fall Winter 2003 Yves Saint Laurent silk jacket is a mas...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent ' Rive Gauche ' Black Silk Russian Collection Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and flattering vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT 'Rive Gauche’ black silk ruffle dress! Luxurious soft 'liquid' silk that looks incredible on! Features a silk velvet trim along th...
Shockingly New Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Brocade Heels Pumps Sz 38.5
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New * Stunning Brocade Heels Shockingly New Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Sz 38.5 * Red Interior * Purples and Golds * Leather Insole * Pointed Toe * 4" Heel * With Box, Dust ...
Yves Saint Laurent Chic Embossed Purple Leather Gloves Size 7 c 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in University City, MO
Yves Saint Laurent Chic embossed purple leather gloves c 1980s The stylish gloves are designed with muted dark purple embossed leather that emulates reptile skin The exterior undern...
Yves Saint Laurent Couture Evening Gown Lace and Satin n. 59501 Collection 1985
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toulon, FR
Fall Winter 1985 Collection France An exceptional Yves Saint Laurent Couture evening gown with train from the 1985 Collection. Purple satin from th the house designer Abraham covere...
Documented 1982 Yves Saint Laurent multicolor striped dress
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
When Yves Saint Laurent visited Morocco for the first time in 1966 it changed his life forever. Struck by its beauty he immediately acquired a house in Marrakech and stayed there at least two times a year to design his collections. Yves Saint Laurent once said: ‘Marrakech opened my eyes to color.’ The colors of the stained glass windows and beamed ceilings of the Bahia Palace in Marrakech are a perfect example what inspired him when designing this particular dress for his Rive Gauche collection that came out in 1982. The exciting mix of vivid colors Yves Saint Laurent used designing this dress have a pattern of vertical stripes in lively red, purple indigo, apple green and Dijon yellow alternated with thin black and white stripes. Adding a pussy bow and bishop sleeves gives the entire look an elegant feel. The high quality silk is in a very good vintage condition and has been professionally cleaned and pressed. The state of this unique Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress is very good, only a small piece of the original mother-of-pearl button left hand button has chipped off (see the last photograph), but can be easily replaced. As you wish we can replace this with a new button without charging extra costs. The dress that was also featured in Vogue magazine in a 1982 Yves...
New Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL 8129 1980 Made in France Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Beautiful and stylish YSL sunglasses. White aviator frame holding a pair of double gradient lenses with beautiful old Cassandre logo. This pair show mi...
Exceptional Yves Saint Laurent Beaver Fur Coat c. 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
A Yves Saint Laurent beaver fur coat from the 1980s. The coat is in an oversized style and lined with 'YSL' monogram silk. No closure and hangs loosely. Brand new/unworn Fr 4...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Red & Black Floral Print Drop Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage black floral print Yves Saint Laurent red silk drop waist dress with velvet detailing. The dress features an open neck, straight sl...
Yves Saint Laurent Strapless Floral Cotton Dress With Asymmetrical Hemline
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Yves Saint Laurent cotton strapless dress featuring a colorful floral print, fitted bodice, horizontal pleated skirt, and asymmetri...
S/S 1992 Yves Saint Laurent Red Color-Block Black Mini Coat Dress Blazer Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous black and red archival Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche blazer jacket / mini dress was designed by the brand's namesake designer. From the Spring/Summer 1992 collection, this fabulous wool coat dress was reintroduced as part of the Spring/Summer 2022 Saint Laurent...
Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford vintage jacket, collection 2002
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
The Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford vintage jacket, collection 2002, is a rare example of the brand's heyday The elegant jacket from the legendary era of Tom Ford's leadership at Yves...
New Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL 541 Jasped Red 1970 France Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Beautiful and stylish vintage new Yves Saint Laurent 1970’s Oversized sunglasses in a jasped red frame. Spotless pair of light rose gradient...
YSL Vintage Color Block Silk Scarf
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
YSL vintage color block textured silk scarf. Red and electric blue color combination. No box. No label.
Yves Saint Laurent trousers by Yves Saint Laurent Autumn-Winter 1993-1994
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Fall/Winter 1993-1994 Ready-to-Wear Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Wide-leg trousers in purple textured silk with a gold reptile...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Red Quilted Coat with Fur Collar, Size L/XL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Miami, FL
YSL made some excellent fur coats in the 70s and 80s, mainly because they were not your obvious fur coats, they were often lined or trimmed on a more sensible and discreet style. Th...
Yves Saint Laurent belt by Saint Laurent circa 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Collection circa 1990, under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Belt in passementerie and gold-tone metal. Made in France. Condition: Very good con...
Saint Laurent Black Chevron Quilted Lambskin Joe Drawstring Backpack
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This black lambskin backpack by designer YSL Saint Laurent features a chain drawstring top that flows into leather shoulder straps for a classic, yet modern look. The spacious fabric...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Brown Woven Raffia Safari Belt, 1990s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche raffia safari belt. Classic large square buckle. Brown raffia whipstitched into the leather base. Chocolate brown. Circa 1990's. Excellent, unworn cond...
2021 YVES SAINT LAURENT Acid Wash Bleached Denim Loose Low rise Boyfriend Jeans
By Yves Saint Laurent, Saint Laurent
Located in Sheffield, GB
A Pair of YVES SAINT LAURENT Bleached Denim Loose Low rise Boyfriend Jeans, featuring a classic 4 pocket design with button fasten closure, the jeans sit low slung around the hips an...
YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche beige wool ruffle tier cuff knit cardigan XS
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Hong Kong, NT
YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche beige 100% wool ruffle front tier cuff knit cardigan XS Reference: MELK/A00535 Brand: Yves Saint Laurent Collection: Rive Gauche Material: Wool Color: ...
Saint Laurent Magenta Silk Floral Print Dress Ensemble, 1989
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vibrant, cheerful floral print silk blouse, skirt, and scarf-belt ensemble by Saint Laurent. All-over relaxed scribble floral motif in red, magenta, and black. The blouse features a ...
Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Black and White Abstract Flower Print Silk Crepe Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage 80s YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rive Gauche black and white abstract flower print long sleeve silk crepe dress ! Features a tailored bod...
Yves Saint Laurent High Black Suede Boots
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent High Suede Boots in black with velvet piping trim. Iconic style worn with many of YSL's signature collections. Half lined in metallic leather. Vintage size 6.5M. ...
Yves Saint Laurent Resort 2008 Stefano Pilati Rorschach Print Silk Dress
By Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
Gorgeous vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk dress from Stefano Pilati's Resort 2008 collection - in fabulous unworn condition with fabric swatch attached. Gorgeously crafted from super ...
Saint Laurent Calfskin Lizard Embossed Kate Tassel Shoulder Bag Black
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Upgrade your accessory game with the Saint Laurent Calfskin Lizard Embossed Small Classic Monogram Kate Tassel Chain Bag. Made from luxurious lizard-embossed calfskin leather, this d...
SAINT LAURENT Sade Mini Tube White Leather Gold Chain Shoulder Bag
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Guangzhou, CN
Condition: Fari, normal signs of use,with partial damage to the leather, inside is clean, hardware has scratches. Accessories: Original Dust Bag size: Width:19cm,height:9cm Design...
1990's YVES SAINT LAURENT pony fur and leather heels
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Spotted pony fur and jet black leather heels from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1990's. Labeled a size 7 however these best fit a modern US 6.5. Heels measure approximately 2....
Yves Saint Laurent Navy Blue 8.5 Rhinestone Vintage Heels Shoes Avant Garde
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL navy blue heels! Avant Garde detailing, with 'wings' at each outer side. Triangle rhinestone detail that accen...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent ' Rive Gauche ' Black Skirt Suit Size 44 YSL
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage Yves Saint Laurent 'Rive Gauche' black skirt suit! Flattering neckline on jacket, with two dome gold buttons at waist, and at cuffs. Also features interior waist bu...
Yves Saint Laurent Gold Wrap-Around with Gold Etch Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent gilded gold framed wrap-around sunglasses are detailed with gilded gild etched on both corners along with "Yves Saint Laurent" in ...
1970s Yves Saint Laurent Russian Collection Lipstick Red Boho Peasant Blouse Top
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and collectible vintage 70s YSL Rive Gauche cotton peasant shirt from the infamous 1976 RUSSIAN COLLECTION! Features a lightweight textured cotton that lo...
Yves Saint Laurent Whimsical Multi-Color Polka Dot with Autumn Border Silk Scarf
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent wonderfully whimsical multi-color Abstract polka dot silk jacquard silk surrounded with Autumn gold borders and hand-rolled edges, measures 33 inches by 34 in...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche YSL Tropical Print Bishop Sleeve Blouse
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rive Gauche cotton blouse or jacket! Has a tropical vibe, with bright colors of red, purple, pink, blue and white throughout. Signature YSL lapels can be ...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Blue Floral With Plaid Trim Dress 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Yves Saint Laurent silk day dress featuring contrasting floral and plaid prints, ruffle collar, cuffs and hem, hidden side zipper...
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage Fall 1991 Gold Brocade Jacket Skirt Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Jersey City, NJ
This vintage 1991 Yves Saint Laurent suit features a luxurious gold brocade jacket and matching high-waisted pencil skirt. The tailored jacket has a round neckline, ornate gold butto...
New $2590 Yves Saint Laurent Raspberry Alligator Platform Shoes Pumps 38.5 - 8.5
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
New Yves Saint Laurent Genuine Alligator Platform Shoes Designer size 38.5 - US 8.5 Raspberry Color Platform Height - 1.5 inches Heel Height - 5.5 inches Padded Leather Insole, Leath...
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful YSL Haute Couture antique silver chain belt with floral stations of caramel and oxblood bakelite cabochons. Beautiful quality, made for the Haute Couture, not diffusion. ...
1977 YVES SAINT LAURENT brown wool maxi RUNWAY skirt with fringed trim
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very soft, rich dark brown wool skirt with cream fringed yarn trim designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to 1977 as seen on the fall runway. Labeled a FR 38. Approximate measurements...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Couture Numbered Fully Embellished Blazer Jacket
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Couture Numbered Embellished Jacket Label Number - 55801. Colors - Purple, Red, Black. Hand Embellished with Beads and Sequins. Black Velvet Collar. Decora...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Floral Print Skirt Suit Spring/Summer 1992
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage floral print jacket and skirt suit from the Spring/Summer 1992 Collection. JACKET features : - Long sleeves. - Front buttoning with gold toned flower butt...
F/W 1983 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Black Velvet Bow Midi Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Yves Saint Laurent black midi dress debuted on the Fall/Winter 1983 Haute Couture runway. Meticulously crafted by hand and custom made, this elegant design features a structured...
New Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Alma Black Oversized 1980 France Sunglasses
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Beautiful and stylish YSL sunglasses. This pair show minor sign of wear due to storage, Please study the pictures. A great opportunity to achieve a u...
Yves Saint Laurent Evening "Saharienne" Couture Trousers Suit, Circa 1968 / 1970
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1968/1970 French Haute Couture Stunning ivory "Saharienne" ensemble evening suit and trousers Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture dating back to the late 1960s. Extended tabby (gr...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Romper Black Rayon Sleeveless 1990s One Piece 90s
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Diego, CA
What's better than a little black dress? A vintage early 90s YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rive Gauche black sleeveless rayon romper / jumpsuit / playsuit ! Features a tailored bodice with wide legs. PCOKETS at each side of the hips. Hidden zipper up the side with hook-and-eye closure. Fabric covered buttons at top left shoulder with hidden snaps. Can easily be dressed up or down, layered or alone. The pictured vintage Paloma Picasso black and gold leather belt...
Yves Saint Laurent Floral Peplum Jacket Top, 1990s
By Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
YSL was one of the more prominent designers to create fashionable, yet functional suiting. Since his controversial release of the women’s smoking suit in...
Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford F/W 2002 Ribbon Tie Silk Skirt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
Silk skirt from Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford featuring an intricate ribbon tie construction throughout. The piece is crafted from charcoal grey silk with tonal ribbon details that ...
F/W 2004 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Deep Red Velvet Satin Sash Skirt Suit
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful deep red Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche velvet skirt suit, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2004 collection, this two-piece set is comprised of a fit...
Yves Saint Laurent Silk Chiffon and Velvet Ensemble
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Silk Chiffon and Velvet Ensemble. Sheer black silk chiffon top with red coupe de velour polka dots rendered with ruffle trimmed sleeves and collar and a long black...
Green and white striped skirt-suit YVES SAINT LAURENT VARIATION
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Green and white striped skirt-suit . No fabric composition tag but probably rayon and lining as well. Shoulder pad. Button and buttonhole closure on the middle front and on the cuff...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Calfskin Small Dylan Shoulder Bag Black
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Calfskin Small Dylan Shoulder Bag Black The Yves Saint Laurent YSL Calfskin Small Dylan Shoulder Bag in Black is a genuine and stylish option. Its finely craf...
Yves Saint Laurent Gilt Bronze Link Belt
By Robert Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Alligator textured gilt bronze link belt, made by Robert Goossens , as patches of torn alligator skin. Excellent Condition. Length 26" plus 5.75" extender, Width...
Black velvet and purple silk taffetas evening dress SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Black velvet and purple silk taffetas evening dress with taffetas belt. Acetate lining. Zip closure on the left side. Button and buttonhole closure on the left side of the chest. Be...
YVES SAINT LAURENT 2006 black nylon ruffle bronze button trench coat FR34 XS
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Hong Kong, NT
YVES SAINT LAURENT 2006 black nylon ruffle collar bronze button trench coat FR34 XS Reference: MELK/A00412 Brand: Yves Saint Laurent Collection...
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL Resort 2012 Heels Wedge Pumps Sz 36
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent Brand New Runway Ad Heels Featured in the Resort 2012 video shot in the Carlton hotel in Cannes, France * Stunning in Print Canvas * Size: 36 *...
NWT Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent F/W 2001 Leather Military Jacket It 38
By Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Montgomery, TX
Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent F/W 2001 Collection Black Leather Military style jacket Italian size 38 ( size 40 also available in our store) Measurements: Length - 28.5 inches...
Yves Saint Laurent white gabardine cotton safari mini dress, c. 1968
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
Yves Saint Laurent white gabardine cotton safari mini dress with applied pockets and front lacing. As seen on Veruschka photographed by Franco Rubartelli for Vogue Paris, 1968 and Betty Catroux...
Yves Saint Laurent jacket by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Winter 1993
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1993 Fall-Winter Rive Gauche Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Black velvet bolero jacket with lace. Silk lining. Size 38FR. Made in...