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.
Yves Saint Laurent fish earrings by Yves Saint Laurent Summer 1994
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1994 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal earrings with costume pearls, glass paste cabochons...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1960s Rare Gripoix Ruby Emerald Red Drop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Haute Couture 1960s Arty Gripoix Ruby Emerald Red Green Circle Glass Cabochon Crystals Exquisite Long Drop Dangle Clip Earrings, Silver Tone Very exce...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Goossens Amber Resin Dangling Clip On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week only! Yves Saint Laurent YSL Goossens Amber Resin Dangling Clip On Earrings Yves Saint Laurent by Goossens vintage 1980s Sta...
Amber, Brass
Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Palmette Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent Anglo Indian palmette long earrings made of coral and two shades of amythest poured glass enamel. Set in spun gilt bronze wire. Spring/Summer 19...
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Red Geometric Tiered Drop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Red Geometric Tiered Drop Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT by Robert Goossens. - Tiered geometric shape earri...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Gold Textured Sun Flower Domed Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Arty Unisex Textured Large Sunflower Sunburst Sun Dome Dots Elegant Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very good condition. Light scratches or...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Gold Ripple Zigzag Hoop Domed Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Arty Textured Large Zigzag Ripple Fire Flame Hoop Domed Chunky Statement Modenrist Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Light scratches...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Large Orange Crystal Flower Clover Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Textured Gripoix Orange Crystal Flourish Blossom Flower Clover Chunky Exquisite Elegant Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very good condition...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent 1970s Modernist Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Modernist earclips 1970s. Of faux tortise resin and gold plate metal Excellent Condition Unsigned L2.25" W 1.25"
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent earrings by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Metal clip-on earrings with colorful resin elements. Made in France. ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Tassel Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Massive Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Tassel Earrings of ruby pastes, faux amber, faceted jet caps with ruby silk tassels. Clip back fittings. 1970's Haute Couture unsigned. YSL Chinese...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent earrings circa 1989
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A Collection circa 1989, under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden wood earrings ornamented with a green resin cabochon. Made in France. Cond...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Dangle Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage dangle gold tone earrings (clip on) embellished with multicolored enamel and crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. height...
Gilt Metal
YSL Dramatic Shell Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic YSL earrings in deep gunmetal finish with pâté de verre cabochons in peridot and olivine tones which are mirror backed. 4.75" x 1.75". 1990's Fra...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Large Chunky Vivid Shell Clip Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL 1980s Vintage Arty Unisex Massive Large Vivid Shell Chunky Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Light scratches or colour loss, barely noti...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Passementerie Long Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture rare long earrings. Composed of multi colored hand made Passementerie silk beads, crystal rondelles and prong set Swarowski assorted gem colored f...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Orange Cabochon Sun Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured sun clip-on earrings featuring an irregular shaped orange resin cabochon at the center. Embossed YSL. Indicative measurements : max. height appr...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Bejeweled Shoulder Duster Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE vintage gorgeous and rare shoulder duster dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring multicolored crystals and glass cabochon in a copper patina setting. M...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Jewelled Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring blue shade crystals in a gold toned setting. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : length ...
Yves Saint Laurent heart earrings by Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Fall-Winte
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1992-1993 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal heart-shaped clip-on earrings with green resin. ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gripoix Ruby Square Crystal Crescent Chunky 2 Set
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage by Robert Goossens Arty Textured Ripple Gripoix Ruby Red Square Cabochon Crystal Collar Choker Chunky Modernist Elegant Necklace Crescent Clip Earrings...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Chinese Collection Demi Parure, Maison Gripoix
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Amazing Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Chinese Collection Demi Parure by Maison Gripoix of hand made settings with poured glass of Chinese florals in kingfisher blue, chalcedony an...
Bronze
Vintage YSL Heart Leopard Print Earrings 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A pair of Vintage YSL Heart Leopard Earrings. An ultra cool combination of the YSL heart motif with an animal print finish. Utterly chic and timeless...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Diamante Logo Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage rare massive gold toned dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring the YSL monogram embellished with clear crystals. Marked YSL Made in France. Indicative mea...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Green Resin Cabochon Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned clip-on earrings featuring an irregular green resin cabochon. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : width approx. 2.8 cm (1.1...
Gilt Metal
Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Blue Rhinestone Green Lucite Hexagon Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Blue Rhinestone Green Lucite Hexagon Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Massive hexagon green lucite earrings with blue...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gripoix Gold Red Ruby Double Sunburst Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Large Gripoix Ruby Red Crystal Double Layer Sunburst Starburst Flower Openwork Chunky Statement Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent ...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Toned Heart and Pearl Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned heart dangling earrings (clip on) embellished with a faux pearl drop. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. hei...
Gilt Metal
Vintage YSL Diamante Dome Pearl Earrings, France, Circa 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Maison Goossens Yves Saint Laurent YSL Diamante Dome Like Pearl Earrings Circa 1980s. These are so gorgeous. Where do I even begin? The faux pearl is like a flower waking up ...
Mixed Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Oversized Fan Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT oversized vintage fan shaped gold tone dangling earrings (clip-on) embellished with a blue glass cabochon. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements :...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Textured Hoop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive gold toned textured hoop earrings (clip-on). Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : diameter approx. 4.2 cm (1.65 inches). NOTES...
Vintage YSL Diamante Clip-On Half Flower Earrings, 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Diamante Half Flower Earrings Circa 1980s. These earrings are a Flower that has been cut in half. There are specific ones for the left and right ears,...
Mixed Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Red Resin Cabochon Logo Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage textured gold toned clip-on earrings featuring a red domed resin cabochon with YSL logo inlaid. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : ap...
Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Crystal Flower Clip On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a pair of vintage flower shape clip on earrings designed by YSL in 1980’s. The piece is gold plated and features clear shiny crystals. Signed: “YSL. Made in France” Diamete...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Flower Two Tone Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Flower Two Tone Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Two tone flower earrings in Pop Art style. - Signed YSL Made in France. - Go...
Yves Saint Laurent green earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Golden metal clip-on earrings with green resin cabochons. Jewelry from the 1980s. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 6.5 cm S...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Gold Large Vivid Large Shell Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Textured Vivid Large Shell Chunky Statement Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Maybe light scratches or colour loss....
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Ruby Vintage Large Heart Love Cabochon Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Gripoix Ruby Red Heart Love Cabochon Crystal Chunky Statement Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Come with original box and...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent earrings 'sun' by Yves Saint Laurent Spring 1988
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1988 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Goossens Atelier. Beaten golden metal clip-on earrings shaped as...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Silver Green Blue Crystals Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Large Double Lake Blue Green Cabochon Oval Rectangle Square Chunky Statement Modernist Clip Earrings, Silver Tone Very good condition. 100% Genui...
Gold Plate
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Statement Fancy Cut Crystal Shell Earrings 1980's
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A truly exquisite and large pair of Vintage YSL Shell Earrings. Crafted in gold plated metal an set with a large teardrop faceted glass crystal. The...
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 enamel. Embossed YSL. Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Golden metal clip-on earrings with multicolored enamel. Jewelry from the mid-1980s under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Conditio...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Gold & Crystal Maltese Cross Pendant Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
These stunning vintage YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) pierced earrings feature a unique design characterized by a bold Maltese cross shape, elegantly crafted from gold-tone metal. The earr...
Crystal, Gold Plate
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Gold Tone Sea Life Dangle Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone textured sea life dangle earrings (clip-on) embellished with clear crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. height...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring a faux turquoise cabochon and blue shade crystals. Embossed YSL. Indicative measurements : height approx....
Gilt Metal
Rare Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent Star Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Rare and exceptional Maison Gripoix for Yves Saint Laurent star ear clips. Composed of black and white Gripoix glass poured enamel bezel set stars and hand made pate de verre beads o...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Massive Gold Crystals Logo Chunky Drop Exquisite Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Vintage Large Huge Massive Crystals Letter Logo Drop Dangle Elegant Modernist Chunky Statement Exquisite Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent conditio...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent Ruby Earclips
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Swarovski ruby paste earclips by YSL with accents in crystal and onyx. Clip back fittings. 1980's France. 1 1/8 x 7/8". Excellent condition.
Rhodium
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Orange Heart Love Floral Pearl Drop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty 1980s Textured Orange Heart Love Floral Flower White Pearl Elegant Drop Dangle Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Good condition. One clip is very small sp...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent earrings circa 1980 by Yves Saint Laurent
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal hanging clip-on earrings with frieze of matching pearls d...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Domed Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone domed clip-on earrings featuring a gorgeous openwork design of intertwined branches embellished with multicolored crystals. Embossed YSL Made in...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent earrings 'shells' by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal hanging clip-on earrings with metal and blue resin shells...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1985 Massive Door Knocker Crystals Catwalk 2 Set
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1985 Arty Huge Massive Door Knocker Crystals Pendants Openwork Charms Triangle Rectangle Modernist Elegant Chunky Statement Necklace Exquisite Drop Dan...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Red Enamel Citrine Cross Enamel Crystal Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL by Robert Goossens Vintage Arty Large Gripoix Red Cross Enamel Citrine Yellow Crystal Elegant Chunky Statement Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 1...
Gold Plate
YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Double Pyramid Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Double Pyramid Dangling Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Massive textured double pyramid dangling ...
Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Vintage Clip-On Earrings with Crystals
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Capri, IT
1980s vintage Yves Saint Laurent pendant clip on earrings with Crystal Swarovski Stones
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Flower Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage flower clip-on earrings embellished with fuchsia and green crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : approx. 3.3 cm x 3.3 cm (1.30...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Large Hoop Clip On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
Saint Laurent YSL large hoop clip-on earrings featuring a round hoop shape, a back bar-pin closure. They come as a pair. Circa 1980s. In good vintage condition. Made in France. D...
Yves Saint Laurent Chinese Lacquer Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and large Yves Saint Laurent Lacquer Earrings from the 1980's. Made by Maison Denez with bright red Chinoiserie lacquer finish likely for his Chinese Collections. The pendant...
Gilt Metal