Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black + White Pinstripe Le Smoking Trouser Suit
View Similar Items
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Black + White Pinstripe Le Smoking Trouser Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 8 - 10 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU662681432
Tom Ford
No one understands sex appeal quite like American designer Tom Ford.
An avowed perfectionist from an early age, Ford was rearranging furniture at the age of six and offering his mother advice on her hair and shoes. The designer, author, film director and chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is one of the most successful people working in fashion today.
Born in Austin, Texas, Ford grew up in the suburbs of Houston and Santa Fe, New Mexico. He briefly attended New York University, where he studied art history before dropping out to pursue acting. He became a regular at Studio 54, with its decadent nightlife later informing his high-octane fashion. He studied architecture at Parsons School of Design before shifting his focus to fashion and spending time at the Parsons Paris campus, graduating in 1985. The rest of the decade he worked for designers Perry Ellis and Cathy Hardwick. In 1990, Gucci’s creative director Dawn Mello hired him as a womens-wear designer.
At the time, the Italian label was better known for leather goods than luxury fashion. It was also nearly bankrupt. After Mello left in 1994, following a Bahrain-based investment group becoming Gucci’s majority shareholder, Ford was named creative director. He soon infused the brand with a fresh sensuality and bold style. His fall 1995 show, in which Kate Moss walked down the runway in an unbuttoned satin shirt, velvet hip-huggers and tousled hair, heralded an exciting, glammed-up era for the once fusty brand. Vogue critic Sarah Mower called it “one of those hitting-in-the-solar-plexus moments.”
As Ford shot to fame, he continued to explore plunging necklines, such as in the black and white looks of the Fall 1996 collection, and sumptuous fabrics like leather and tweed, with the Fall 2000 ready-to-wear collection ranging from sultry silk evening dresses to plush belted coats. He also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for the fashion house, particularly with regard to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, which Gucci acquired in 1999 (Ford was also named creative director for YSL and designed the brand’s ready-to-wear collection). Gucci's Fall/Winter 1997 campaign featured Carolyn Murphy grasping Angela Lindvall in what looked like a video still; in another shot, a face pressed against a foot in a lipstick-red heel. Each promoted a vision of modern fashion where women were sexually confident, the materials were luxurious and the styles were fearless.
In 2004, Ford and Gucci president Domenico De Sole left the company after failing to agree on the renewal of their contracts. In 2006, with De Sole as chairman, Ford launched his wildly successful eponymous menswear label. The brand has expanded into womens wear, beauty, accessories — vintage Tom Ford handbags are universally adored by celebrities and collectors alike — as well as eyewear and fragrance, with the unisex Black Orchid introduced in 2006. Ford broke into film directing with the critically acclaimed A Single Man in 2009 and Nocturnal Animals in 2016, continuing to blur the boundaries between fashion and culture.
Find vintage Tom Ford day dresses, purses, shoes and other clothing and accessories now on 1stDibs.
Yves Saint Laurent
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 Brioini 1980s Ruffled Corset Cropped Polka Dot Jumpsuit OnesieBy BrioniLocated in San Diego, CAWonderful vintage 80s Brioni jumpsuit! Amazing fit, with an insane amount of detail! Ruffles down the boned corset, and at sleeves. Sits slightly off the shoulder. Cropped trousers, ...Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- Rare Late 90s Tom Ford for Gucci Size 42 / 8 / 10 Black Silk Jumpsuit RacerbackBy Gucci, Tom FordLocated in San Diego, CASuper rare vintage 1990s brand new with tags FW 1997 Gucci, by Tom Ford black silk jumpsuit! So much style to this amazing piece, that has never been worn! Chic style, with a slouchy...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- 1990s Does 1970s Black Crepe Sleeveless One Piece 90s Vintage Romper JumpsuitLocated in San Diego, CA90s does 70s black one piece romper onesie! Features a hidden zipper up the front to adjust cleavage exposure. Exaggerated collar. Fabric stretches to fit. Great belted or alone, wit...Category
1990s American Jumpsuits
- Vintage Emanuel Ungaro Silk Jersey Taupe Two Piece Harem Pants Ensemble Pant SetBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in San Diego, CAUtterly chic early 1990s / 90s EMANUEL UNGARO taupe silk jersey two piece harem pant set! Features a wonderful slinky draped short sleeve blouse, with a hidden zipper up the side. Hi...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Brioni 1990s Black and White Flower Print Vintage 90s Cropped Corset JumpsuitBy BrioniLocated in San Diego, CABrilliant 1990s BRIONI black and white / ivory micro flower print cropped cotton jumpsuit! Features a fitted ruffled boned corset top. Slim fitting legs, with a slit at each outer si...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- Rare 1950s Topazzi of California Gold Black Vintage 50s Cropped Halter JumpsuitLocated in San Diego, CARare mid 1950s TOPAZZI OF CALIFORNIA gold and black metallic one piece halter jumpsuit! Features flattering gold and black stripes throughout. Black silk chiffon straps criss cross i...Category
1950s American Jumpsuits
- Christian Dior by John Galliano floral cotton and leather pant suit, fw 2002By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior floral cotton and leather pant suit ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ 98% Cotton 2% Elastane / 100% Leather ▪ Round neck zip-up jacket ▪ Attached leather belt with metal buckle...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Alexander McQueen grey denim shirt and flared pants, fw 2000By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen grey denim suit ▪ Fitted shirt with multiple bias-cut panels ▪ High-rise flared jeans ▪ Metal donut buttons ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1980s Escada Navy Blue & Green 3 pc Trouser Pant Suit & Animal Print Silk BlouseBy Escada, Margaretha LeyLocated in Portland, ORWe love vintage Escada! There is nothing quite like their silk blouses and suits! This 3 piece fine merino wool outfit includes a pair of high waisted trousers, a silk animal print ...Category
1980s German Trouser Pant Suits
$269 Sale Price69% Off - 2016 Herve Leger Vintage Blue and White Flared Pants & Cutout Top Runway OutfitBy Herve LégerLocated in Portland, ORThis is a sensational bodycon Herve Leger stretch knit 2 piece top and pants outfit in navy blue and ivory. This fantastic outfit was featured on L...Category
2010s American Trouser Pant Suits
- S/S 1992 Gianni Versace Couture Black Ribbed Stretch Plunging CatsuitBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous black ribbed Gianni Versace Couture catsuit, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1992 collection, this stunning catsuit features a plunging neckline, a stitched panel detail around the neckline, and full-length sleeves. This form-fitting one-piece is perfectly sexy and is an ultra-rare Gianni Versace design...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Iridescent Satin Grey Rust Button Up Pant SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous iridescent blue-grey and rust-toned satin Gucci button-up pant set, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 1998 collection, this set debuted as part of th...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?
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.