Like the other suit I have today by Yves this one is also a Haute Couture piece. This one is documented and from the Fall 1996 collection. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer walked the runway in a pant version of it for that season. Having both reference photos and the video of that moment allows you to see the incredible tailoring and movement of the piece. For the runway it was shown with a pant. My client ordered it with a pencil skirt which gives it the benefit of being able to be worn day through to evening. Yves play on the tuxedo suit, most often called the 'Le Smoking' suit, is one of his most famous hallmarks. He first presented the now iconic suit in 1966. His play on traditional menswear is lauded by many as 'having empowered women by giving them the option to wear clothes that were normally worn by men with influence and power'. 

There is nothing quite like slipping on a meticulously tailored piece of true Haute Couture. It feels different somehow then any other experience and the feeling is unlike any other. The suit is a meticulously constructed and is in pristine condition. It is sourced from the original couture client. These played on the lines of a men's tux and then were shaped and tweaked by Yves to be immensely flattering on the female body. The cut is masterful and its simple appearance is produced by his genius tailoring that is sharp and meticulous. The jacket is tailored with a sleek cut that follows the curves of the body. It has his signature matte satin notched tuxedo collar. This one's collar slightly exaggerates the classic men's version of a classic tuxedo suit. Yves produced many versions the this suit over the years but what I find remarkable is that each version is distinct in how it closes at the front and the way that the collar is shaped. This version closes with a single button below that amazing collar. Three pockets are top set on the front and the shoulders are sharp. The traditional mens suiting fabric has enough weight that it holds the lines perfectly once it is on. I love the row of three glossy black buttons on the cuffs of each sleeve. These are set with working buttonholes and that bit of gloss to the ends of the cuffs is fantastic. The skirt is cut in a simple pencil shape. There are small discreet belt loops on the skirt and these are made out of crocodile.  Once on, the suit transforms. You can see how beautiful the lines are from the runway photos and video that I have included here for reference. His suits changed the way we approach woman's wear and any example of the Le Smoking version is particularly collectible. They are a particularly wonderful example of how strong his tailoring was and vision for a woman's place in the world. This is a rare and iconic piece of documented YSL Haute Couture. Excellent condition

Both pieces are lined in a rich heavy black silk. The jacket has a single button at the front to close. The skirt has a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Three pockets on the jacket. All hand finished to couture standards. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. There are no tags present. Sourced from the original couture client 

Jacket
Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 16"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from neck to head 

Skirt
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3557

Reference Photos: Claudia Schiffer for Fall 1996 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Runway Collection.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Christian Lacroix launched his Haute Couture house in 1987 and his work was instantly adored and revered world wide. He defined an era and he was crowned the King of Couture. A ready-to-wear line soon followed along with perfumes and menswear. His Haute Couture collections inn particular were always exotic lavish affairs. He drew his inspirations from across the decades and I doubt there was ever a more high glamour couturier. This jacket is very special and a stunning example of his work during this time period. It has all the signature Lacroix drama that you could ask for while still being refined and elegant. It comes to me from the original couture client and is immaculate. His true Haute Couture pieces are very special and rare. This one is particularly wonderful and slipping it on feels like magic. 

It is not until you put this jacket on that it really comes to life. It has a rich feel to it from the moment you slip it on. It seems unassuming on the hanger, and even on the dress form to a degree, but once on the body, the way it flares outward to the hip is perfection and you can tell it is a couture piece by feel alone. It is made from a textured black wool crepe and the high quality of the fabric is what allows it to retain and hold that shape. The sleeves are slightly cropped. The collar curves softly around the neck and then it is set wide on either side of the elaborate front. Running down the front is a panel of silk velvet that runs down either side and then there is a tightly spaced row of buttons placed on both sides. The buttons are magnificent and each is domed and made from metal done in a deep gunmetal grey-black. Each button is embossed with various configurations of black crystals. Because they are set so closely to each other you get a famous tactile feel along with an actual soft pretty sound as they softly click together when you move. It is quite wonderful. They are intentionally offset with one side having more buttons then the other for a whimsical touch. The back is equally spectacular with two extensive embroidered areas done down the centre. These layer a black lace with silk cording, embroidery work and 3D knotting and beading techniques. At the very bottom is a spray of three hand carved wood tassels covered in embroidery work that dangle down past the back hem. It is very difficult to full present black pieces and the jacket is even better in person. It has been sourced from the original couture client who recalls purchasing it around 1990. The hand written couture tape under the label reads 93789 and perhaps denotes the 1989 collection. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition 

Fully lined in a black silk and closes with as tries of Couture hook and eye down the front. The jacket has its proper Haute Couture label numbered 93789. All hand finished to couture standards. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Sourced from the original couture client 

Sleeves: 19.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 26" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3558

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The longer skirted version of this was presented as Look 38 of the Fall 2001 Haute Couture collection. For the runway it was shown with a full length evening skirt. My client ordered it with a more wearable pencil skirt length which gives it the added benefit of being able to be worn from day through to evening. The Fall 2001 collection was one of his final collections and to have a piece from this season is very special. Vogue noted that "Cocktail hour incorporated every possible variation on the tuxedo: There was a button-front dress, a smoking jacket that morphed into a full tulle skirt, and, naturally, an updated version of the masculine tux immortalized by Helmut Newton in the '70s." Yves play on the tuxedo and 'Le Smoking' suit is one of is most famous hallmarks  He first presented the now famous suit in 1966. His play on traditional menswear is lauded by many as 'having empowered women by giving them the option to wear clothes that were normally worn by men with influence and power'. 

I love the extra wide collar on this one. It is so bold and yet still elegant and refined in feel. There is nothing quite like slipping on a tailored piece of true haute Couture. It feels different somehow and the feeling is something you can only really experience for yourself. The construction is meticulous and it is in wonderful condition. It is sourced from the original couture client. These suits were all done in a play on a men's tux and then were shaped and tweaked by Yves to be immensely flattering on the female body. The cut is masterful and its simple appearance is produced by genius tailoring that is sharp and meticulous. The jacket is tailored with a sleek cut that follows the curves of the body. It is slightly cropped to sit just at the top of the hip. It has his signature matte satin tuxedo collar and on this one that line is exaggerated to cover almost the entire front of the bust area. Yves produced many versions of this suit over the years but what I find remarkable is that each version is distinct in how it closes at the front and the way that the collar is shaped. This one has a single faced, glossy jet button to close below that amazing collar. Two discreet pockets are top set on the hips and the shoulders are sharp and perfectly padded. The fabric that he chose is has a fine rubbing effect to it and it has enough weight that it holds the lines perfectly once it is on. The skirt is cut in a simple pencil shape. Once on, the suit transforms and you can see how beautiful the lines are from the runway photos and video that I have included here for reference. His suits change the way we approach woman's wear and any example of the Le Smoking version is particularly collectible. They are a particularly wonderful example of how strong his tailoring was and vision for a woman's place in the world. This is an important piece of fashion history from one of his final collections. Excellent condition

Both pieces are lined in a rich heavy black silk. The jacket has a single button at the front to close. The skirt has a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. Two pockets on the jacket. All hand finished to couture standards. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. All Haute Couture tags present and it was sourced from the original couture client 

Jacket
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23" from neck to hem at the front, 22 at the back

Skirt
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 23.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3559

Reference Photos: Diana Gärtner for Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2001 Haute Couture Runway Collection. Look 38.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.