Yves Saint Laurent 1970s Zodiac Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 41 in (104.14 cm)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Scottsdale, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU167212297792
Yves Saint Laurent
French fashion 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, 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, 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Scottsdale, AZ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Dolce & Gabbana Magazine Print DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis dress is a must have in your closet! Circa early 2000s, this dress features a magazine print top with an open back and bra closure. Perfect to throw on with your favorite lace u...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage Hand Painted Silk Caftan DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZDo not miss out on this absolutely stunning 1970s caftan style dress in the most eye catching and vibrant hand painted silk! Long sleeve lightweight ...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
- Pamella Roland Breaded Emerald Evening GownBy Pamella RolandLocated in Scottsdale, AZA timeless evening gown with beautiful beaded sleeves by Pamella Roland. This dress is a classic piece that could be worn for a day or night time event. A gown like this in your closet is sure to always be a go to every time! It is composed of silk satin with nice, billowy sleeves that end with an elegant beaded detailing, a feature that really makes this gown glow. Pair this gown with Yves Saint Laurent strappy heels, Kennth Lane earrings and a Prada handbag for a perfect evening look, or dress it down with Chanel flats for a daytime look. Either way you’ll be shining! Pamella Roland debuted its Fall 2002 couture...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses
- Christian Dior Vintage Silk Lace Slip DressBy Christian DiorLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is an incredible feminine slip dress to add to your wardrobe today! Creating a staple wardrobe will make it so you never have nothing to wear. A simple silk black dress will give you hundreds of styling opportunities and will go with most of your closet. This is a beautiful number by none other than Christian Dior. This dress is from the 1980's making it a vintage gem you cannot pass up on. It is a midi length, with tank-top straps, and v-neck style. It has beautiful lace detailing through the neckline and the bottom hem. Don't miss out on the highly coveted details of this dress like the 'dior' embroidering on the skirt. Some imperfections in the silk. Pair this beautiful dress with a vintage Gucci jacket, some Prada slingback...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Chanel Cashmere Knit Plane Pins Navy Blue DressBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZKnits aren't what your grandma used to make back in the 80s! This elegant Chanel knitted dress circa 2008 is crafted from navy blue cotton-cashmere-silk blend, with a sailor collar and a chest detail, embellished with gradient-sized silver-toned metal plane pins. We love grandma, but it's best if she leaves the knitting to Chanel. Featuring a knitted style, a ribbed design, a sailor collar, a front zip fastening, a long-sleeve design, a fitted skirt, a short length and three silver plane pins on the chest. Please be mindful that this piece has led a previous life, and may tell its story through minor imperfection. This would be perfect paired with some Christian Dior sneakers...Category
Early 2000s Mini Dress
- 2000s Anthony Vaccarello for Versus Versace Strapless DressBy VersaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZThe Sexiest Cocktail Dress Is Here! Circa late 2000s, this dress is designed by Anthony Vaccarello who created a capsule collection for Versus Versace from 2014-2016. This mini strap...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses
- Genny Fall Winter 1994/95 Mini Dress Flared Sleeve Documented IT44 Small /MediumBy GennyLocated in Los Angeles, CAGenny Wool Minidress Documented Autunno-Inverno 1994/95 (Autumn Winter 94/95) Knee length Minidress/Shift dress Flared sleeve Bateau neckline A-line , structured shape Dark brown ...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- Yohji Yamamoto Black Leather Coat DressBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in Sharon, CTBeautiful avant garde leather and wool blend black outer coat dress.Category
Early 2000s Japanese Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris Black and White Wool DressBy Nina RicciLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Nina Ricci 'Boutique' 100% Wool Dress. Rolled collar and rolled hem. Fully lined.Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- VERSACE JEANS COUTURE - Black Evening Halter Dress with Sequins Size 8US 40EUBy Versace Jeans Couture, Donatella VersaceLocated in Cuggiono, MIA simple yet sophisticated evening dress, very elegant and exclusive. It features a double string closure which can be knotted on the back of the neck and automatically adjusts to yo...Category
2010s Italian Sheath Dresses
- PRADA - Brown Tunic Tent Midi Dress with Three-Quarter Sleeves Size S/MBy Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in Cuggiono, MIFollowing Prada's sleek yet iconic style, this tunic dress features a standing ruffled collar, three-quarter sleeves with similar ruffled edges. The polyester fabric is very soft and...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake YSL Bag
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.
Quiet Luxury May Be Trending, but These Famous Interiors Prove That Quality and Quirk Endure
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.