Yves Saint Laurent Runway Tunic and Pants Silk Ensemble, Fall-Winter 1979-1980
View Similar Items
Yves Saint Laurent Runway Tunic and Pants Silk Ensemble, Fall-Winter 1979-1980
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR40 (US 8) but runs a bit small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: 1DJD05491stDibs: LU5604489913
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.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
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.
- Rare Bill Gibb Devore Silk Velvet Evening EnsembleBy Bill GibbLocated in Geneva, CHIncredible early 70s "dévoré" silk velvet and gold lame set composed of a short kimono-caftan and a long buttoned maxi skirt. The top is cut wide with sleeves opening down the wais...Category
1970s British Caftans
- Numbered Courreges Haute Couture Trousers Suit EnsembleBy Courrèges, André CourrègesLocated in Geneva, CHThis ultra chic late 60’s - early 70’s haute couture Courrèges ensemble, is made up of a fitted tunic-top and high waisted trousers. Constructed in dark blue wool, this fully lined s...Category
1970s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Haute Couture Bow Skirt Suit, Circa 1985By Chanel, Karl LagerfeldLocated in Geneva, CHIconic, timeless, chic and versatile ! Very few garment can provide these four qualities simultaneously. A Chanel skirt suit has definitely such power, especially when it is Haute Co...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Nina Ricci Haute Couture Polka Dot Dress & Coat EnsembleBy Nina RicciLocated in Geneva, CHWedding season is here and this early 60s Nina Ricci haute couture set is an elegant option for the ceremony. Made from refined satin silk pri...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Torrente Ruffled Lace Mini Dress SuitBy TORRENTELocated in Geneva, CHThis 80’s Torrente two-piece ensemble is the perfect balance between being playful and sophisticated. Constructed in refined cherry-red “Calais” lace, this mini dress features a slim...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Emilio Pucci Print Silk Jersey Shirt & Skirt EnsembleBy Emilio PucciLocated in Geneva, CHA Emilio Pucci two piece printed ensemble in silk jersey from the 60's. Fits approx. : US 2-4 / FR 36 Measurements (taken flat) : Waist approx. 34.5 cm (13.6 inches) Width (f...Category
1960s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1950s Green and Black Wool SuitLocated in San Francisco, CA1950s wool suit featuring shades of olive, sage, and forest green with an asymmetrical button closure accented with additional matching hand-covered buttons. The shawl collar is modi...Category
1950s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Marella blouse and pants suitLocated in Capri, ITMarella blouse and pants suit Blue sequins blouse with black belt and dark blue pants suit made in italt in size 42Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
$417 Sale Price20% Off - Sonia Rykiel Three Piece Tuxedo Style Black Pant Suit, 1980'sBy Sonia RykielLocated in Atlanta, GAA versatile 1980's Sonia Rykiel three piece suit in a black rayon/acetate blend crepe fabric, including jacket, top and pants. The chic details, including a satin finish to the coll...Category
1980s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Silk Coat and DressLocated in London, GBA chic vintage outfit in a petrol blue silk. The dress is sleaveless with a round neckline and central back zip. The cot has elbow length sleaves ...Category
1960s British Dress and Coat Ensembles
$432 Sale Price20% Off - Resort/12 Look # 8 VERSACE FLORAL BLACK and WHITE SUIT w/LEATHER CORSET 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual PR-sample Resort 2012 Look # 8 Black and White Floral print skirt suit (skirt, top) + Leather corset Gold-tone hardware Asymmetrical detail Content: Top: 1...Category
2010s Italian Skirt Suits
$1,608 Sale Price35% Off - 1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitBy Sonia RykielLocated in New York, NY1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitCategory
1980s Jumpsuits
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.