The duo behind the La Mendola label met in Rome in 1960 and started their business making dresses and selling them one by one, piece by piece. In 1967 they opened a shop and women like Elizabeth Taylor and Rita Hayworth become steadfast clients who were buying, and even wait listing for pieces as they were produced. They were located in Italy and their atelier closed in 1974.

The prints that you see on the La Mendola pieces were all done in house. This one is suggestive of long feather rows and it has been screened onto a beautiful silk jersey fabric that is gorgeous and easy to wear. It is also a fabric choice that takes the colour and print of their designs exceedingly well. The set is made up of three separate pieces, a dress, a matching cape, and a turban. The dress has a simple scooped neck and an equally simple cut through the bodice and sleeves. It skims over the waist and then gradually widens out as it nears the hem. The simplicity of the design is a backdrop to how the printed fabric is set to make the the dress. You can see how beautifully it lines up at the centre seams. Over this is goes a cape made in the same fabric. The cape has soft rounded shoulders and slits at the front that you can put your arms through. It is cut to end just below the hem of the dress under it and it is a study of refinement. To tie it all together the set comes with a simple matching turban. Each piece is simple and elegant and when worn all together it makes a dramatic statement. Together they are absolutely beautiful. Excellent condition with one minor note below

All the pieces are lined in a black silk. The dress zips to close at the back and the cape closes down the front with a series of buttons. Hand finished throughout. The top button on the cape is missing its black cap that the others have as shown in the final photo

Dress
Sleeves: 24.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 40" from neck to hem

Cape
Shoulders: no true seams
Length: 42" from neck to hem

Turban
23" around with slight stretch 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3495

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

This sleek black cape is wonderful. It is by Yves Saint Laurent and is a beautiful and easy to wear piece that will fit virtually any size. The label on it is an earlier one and its sleek and simple cut will make it an easy piece to work into your wardrobe. It has a surprisingly modern feel to it and it is a wonderful example of the work he was doing during this time period. The cut is very simple. You just drape it over your shoulders and it simply falls into place once on. It is made out of a light fine black wool jersey and there is one single button at the neck. It looks to have been worn very little if at all and it even has an extra button still sewn into an inner seam. This is the type of item that you can throw over almost anything. Excellent condition

Unlined and drapes over the shoulders to wear

It falls to approx 48" in length once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# C570

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

This sleek black poncho cape is wonderful. It is by Yves Saint Laurent and is a beautiful and easy to wear piece that will fit virtually any size. A similar piece was shown on the runway for the 1982 collection and I have included reference photos from that show so that you can see just how great it works on the body. It is a wonderful example of the work he was doing during this time period. The cut is very simple. The back is one large panel and then there are two panels that fall across the shoulder and down the front. You just drape it over your shoulders and it simply falls into place once on. It is made out of a light fine black wool and all the edges are finished in his signature braiding. It looks to have been worn very little if at all and is the type of item that you can throw over almost anything. Excellent condition

Unlined and drapes over the shoulders to wear

Each front panel is 26" across and the back is double that.
It falls to approx 50" in length once on 

Modern Sizing Equivalent: OSFA

Item# C561

Reference Photos: Yves Saint Laurent Fashion Parade, December 14 1982.

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