yves saint laurent
1983/4 Important Ruffled Yves Saint Laurent Set
This is an Important and exceptional silk taffeta, tiered and dramatically ruffled ball gown skirt paired with its matching top with equally dramatic sleeves. It comes from the estate of Kezia Keeble, an important New York publicist and past fashion editor for Vogue and Esquire, who was well known for her irrepressible enthusiasm. Correspondence with her daughter by my client will be included verifying that this set was worn to both a Met gala and a CFDA gala and did indeed belong to Ms Keeble.
It is believed that this set was custom made and based on the 1980 Haute Couture collection as seen in the "Yves Saint Laurent" book published by The Metropolitan Museum in 1984 and a dress with similar ruffle treatment shown in the "YSL, Yves Saint Laurent" book published in 2012. This Rive Gauche version would have been based on that Haute Couture gowns from the 1980 collection. Our example was done in his signature silk taffeta and featured an exorbitant ruffle treatment to the skirt and sleeves and is just phenomenal. The skirt is extremely full and the photos do not do the amount of fabric in it justice. The sheer amount of fabric in the skirt - both in volume and in the ruffles is astounding. The fabric choice allows it to be somewhat light in weight despite all those ruffles and yet retain its shape and fullness. I love that the ruffles cover every square inch of the skirt, circling it in ever widening rows as it tiers out and down from the waist. The top is cut full through the body - almost box shape and has a ruffled collar and a strip of fabric down the front that hides the buttons. Each sleeve is cut wide at the shoulder and then tapers gracefully to the wrist. Tiers of ruffles adorn each sleeve. It is just wonderful and truly a work of art and an important piece of fashion history for the discerning collector. It is also very versatile since it is separates and the pieces can be worn together and presents as a gown, or you may pair them up with other pieces in your wardrobe. Excellent condition. Very rare and museum worthy. You will never see a piece like this again and it is exceptional in every possible way.
This outfit is also featured in the book Roxanne Lowit photographs Yves Saint Laurent on Sayoko Yamaguchi
Unlined but finished to very high standards. The top buttons at the front and is cut straight through the body. The skirt closes with a side, fine metal painted zipper and a flat hook and eye at the waist. The skirt is tagged a vintage 40 and I presume the top is the same size.
Please click to read the New York Times write-up on Ms Keeble after her untimely death at the age of 48. She was an exceptional woman.
Top
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 22" from neck to hem
Skirt
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 43" from waist to hem at front, 47" at back
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD1711
Reference Photos: (1) 1980s Haute Couture Dress in the "Yves Saint Laurent" book published by The Metropolitan Museum in 1984. / (2) 1980s Haute Couture Dress in the "YSL, Yves Saint Laurent" book published in 2012. / (3) Sayoko Yamaguchi in Yves Saint Laurent from the book "Roxanne Lowit photographs Yves Saint Laurent". / (4) Sayoko Yamaguchi on the YSL Runway.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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SIZE GUIDE
Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.