This stunning Yves Saint Laurent set clearly illustrates his love and fascination with all things gypsy, bohemian and peasant in feel while the color and fabric seem to give a nod to his famous safari collections. This is like the perfect melding of the two ideas in one. It is actually two pieces plus a tie sash belt, which gives it endless styling potential. The skirt is a khaki cotton with a polished finish and the fabric choice gives it some weight and shape. It has an elastic waist for an easy to wear feel and is constructed of three tiers of fabric. These gradually widen to create the volume through the skirt that you see. I love the ruffled effect that this creates. The top and belt are made of the same fabric giving it a dress feel when they are worn together. Here I have left the top untucked and then cinched in the waist to show you the cut, but you could also tuck for a more stream lined look. The sleeves are incredible - each is very very full above the elastic cuff. The top can sit on or off the shoulders which really give it a bit of that YSL sexiness. It is an amazing and dramatic set! Excellent, appears unworn condition.
Both pieces are unlined. The skirt has an elastic waist and slips on. The top slips on and has elastic as each cuff. The top is tagged a vintage 42. There is no label on the skirt. Original matching fabric sash belt
Top
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust-waist: to 23" and widens to 24" flat across from seam to seam
Length: 24" from top of shoulder to hem
Skirt
Waist: 13-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 29" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG
Item# DD1949
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.

SEE MORE FROM YVES SAINT LAURENT

yves saint laurent
Documented Fall 2001 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 'Le Smoking' Suit w Exaggerated Collar
I Have a Question
This is a slightly more dramatic version of Yves classic tuxedo suit. For the runway it was presented with a longer skirt and that one was shown for Look 38 of the Fall 2001 Haute Couture collection. My client ordered it with the pencil skirt you see so that she could have more options to wear it. 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 that he first presented 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 have included runway photos, video and a photo of the original sketch. The sketch shot includes the fabric swatches above as per his atelier records and you can see it is the same fabric as this one. It is extraordinary set and I love it.
The extra wide collar is what sets this one apart from the many versions he did over the years. It is so bold and yet still elegant and refined in feel. There is nothing quite like the experience of slipping on a tailored to perfection piece of true Haute Couture. It somehow feels different and the feeling is something you can only really experience for yourself. The construction on both pieces is meticulous and it has been sourced from the original couture client. These tuxedo suits were all done a play on a men's tuxedo in mind and then were shaped and tweaked by Yves to be immensely flattering on the female body. It's looks simple but has master level tailoring behind it. The jacket has this sleek cut to it that follows the curves of the body. It is slightly cropped to sit just at the top of the hip. The lower part of the collar is finished in a black matte satin. It's size has been exaggerated to make it the focal point. under that is a single faceted button. Pockets are top set on each side and the shoulders are shaped. The fabric has a fine ribbing to it and it holds the lines perfectly. The skirt is cut into a simple pencil shape. I love that you separate pieces which gives you the versatility of being able to mix and match each piece with other things you already own. It is also a suit that depending on how do you style it, it can easily work for either day or as an evening suit. Yves tuxedo suits changed the way the world approached woman's wear and any example of the Le Smoking version is particularly collectible. This is a wonderful example of his couture tailoring. Itis an important piece of fashion history from one of his final collections. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
Both pieces are hand lined in a black silk. The jacket closes with a button at the front and the skirt closes with a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. There are two pockets on the jacket. Both pieces are completely made by hand to couture standards. All proper Haute Couture tags present
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/Video: (1-7) Diana Gärtner for Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2001 Haute Couture Runway Collection. Look 38. / (8-9) Sketches for the Fall 2001 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Collection as shown in the "Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: The Complete Works" Book Set.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Iconic Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Runway French Bulldog Printed Red Dress
I Have a Question
This might be one of the cutest dresses that Yves ever did and the print is of course an homage to his own French Bulldogs that he loved so much. Its twin walked the runway and was styled with a wide leather belt to really play on the proportions and cinch in the waist. It is one of my all time favourites and I am very pleased to have this wonderful dress in the shop for you.
This is gorgeous little dress. On the hanger it looks like nothing tell me a pill is that fantastic print. But it's just hits the body his genius with cut comes to life. The top is meant to be full and easy over you. The upper bodice is yoked on the front and the back and it has light padding in the shoulders for structure. A row of glossy white buttons closes the partial opening at the back of the neck. The waist is seamed and it is meant to blouse over top of it. If you decide to add a belt like they did on the runway it will really emphasize the waist and the volume above even more. This skirt is cut to be slightly fuller around the hips and then narrows down slightly as it reaches the hem. I love the slash pocket sit on each hip. The sleeve incredible. They come out from the top of the shoulder where they're slightly gathered and they are cut to come out from just above the waist and narrow down to an elastic cuff. This makes them incredibly full and when you push the up to just past the elbow they are even fuller as you can see in the reference photos. It's just a beautiful little dress and perfectly represents this time period. Excellent condition with a small note below.
Unlined and closes with a side set zipper. Three buttons at the back of the neck to close the small opening there. Elastic in each cuff. There is the tiniest bit of yellowing to one of the bulldog prints at the neckline and I see a repair at the top of the side zipper. It is completely hidden once in by the volume of the sleeves. Please see the photos after the label shot. Tagged a vintage YSL 40. It's oversized cut should work on smaller frames too
Sleeves: 17" and will pouf up more when on
Extended shoulders: 18"
Bust: open with no true side seams
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist and will pouf up when on
Skirt: 24.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4197
Reference Photos: Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent 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.

yves saint laurent
Fall 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Iridescent Purple Silk Taffeta Gigot Sleeve Dress
I Have a Question
The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1982 show and I love that we found photos of it for you so you can see just how spectacular it is one and how the sleeves sit once on a body. This silhouette with its dramatic sleeves and full skirts was an important element for that season. It is just a stunning example of one of his most recognized looks.
The dress is made from a combination of two of his favorite fabrics, silk taffeta and silk velvet. These became signatures of his and ran through his collections from the start of his career to the finish. It is a stunning piece. The top is cut to skim over the bust with a scooped neckline at the front. It is seamed at the waist and then extends down over the top of the hips. There is an attached silk taffeta sash that wraps around the waist and cinches you in for added shape and detail at the waist. The sleeves are full with a beautiful sweeping cut that starts at the shoulders and remains full to just past the elbow. At that point the fabric changes to to a velvet. Four glossy dome buttons detail the lower part of the sleeve. These are meant to be pushed up slightly to exaggerate that pouf of the upper sleeve even more. The skirt falls from under the velvet and it is beautifully full. The photos do not really do the amount of fabric in the skirt full justice. I love that under the top purple layer of silk there is a lining finished in a coral red silk taffeta. You don't see that inner layer when you are standing, but when you sit or move just right, you get that extra flash of color. It's a small detail that I am obsessed with. The fabric choices helps keep the intended shape and volume. Pieces by Yves from this time period have become an important piece of fashion history and having documentation like this one has makes it that much better. Excellent condition.
Fully lined through the bodice in a black silk satin. The skirt is lined in a deep red silk taffeta and the sleeves are unlined. It closes at the side with a metal and nylon zipper and each cuff buttons to close. The sash is attached at the back. Slight flattening to the velvet here and there along the waist seam that is covered by the belt once on. Tagged a vintage YSL 40.
Sleeves: 29"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 17" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2856
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Runway. / (3) Alice Englert wearing this dress for Harper's Bazaar, 2023.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Rare & Exceptional Spring 1966 Yves Saint Laurent Sketch Documented Floral Print Dress
I Have a Question
Yves Saint Laurent opened his first ready-to-wear boutique on September 26, 1966 in Paris. For the opening he showcased his Fall 1966 Rive Gauche collection but what a lot of people don’t know is that he already had a rtw line. He created his first ready-to-wear collection for the Fall of 1964 with an in-house boutique collection of 35 designs including accessories. This dress is from one of those extremely rare collections that pre-dates the opening of the shop. It is from the Spring 1966 collection and represents one of the earliest ready-to-wear pieces he would have made. Because it pre-dates the actual boutique opening it would have only been made available to you if you were an existing couture client. Only a few of these would have been made. The numbers are probably along the same lines as the couture pieces as far as quantity. This one is extra special because it’s documented which is even more rare. We found a copy of the original sketch and fabric samples in one of the the Saint Laurent books and even they did not have the actual dress to show with that sketch. He did two pieces for the collection in this fabric. The first photo after the label shot here is the twin to this dress and the second is the other similar one that was a part of this collection. Finding a piece that was a forerunner to the boutique launch when that boutique concept went on to revolutionize the world of fashion is truly something truly special. This is a dress made valuable by its place in history.
The dress is beautiful in its simplicity. It is made out of a loose woven cotton feeling fabric that has a stunning and vivid floral print screen onto it. The print is the same that you see in the sketch fabric samples in the attached reference photo. It is a bright combination of blue, green, pinks, corals and yellows all done in an intricate floral pattern that covers the entire dress.The sleeves are cut to go to just past the elbow and are cuffed. On the cuff they have two sets of little snaps spaced close to each other so you can bring the cuff in a little bit to hold them in place in case you wear them pushed up higher on the arm. Above that they pouf out above the cuffs for a pretty fullness. The neckline is scooped at the front and at the back. At the back that scoop dips a little lower for a bit of skin to show. I love how it buttons to close above the zipper at the back with two matching fabric buttons. At the front there is a seam that is set just under the bust. You were meant to tie a ribbon under there as you can see in the sketch. I added a pretty blue grosgrain ribbon but you could add any colour ribbon that picks up on any of the colours of the dress or the accessories you choose to wear with the dress. The dress falls from there and widens out to be very loose and easy over the waist and hips before falling down to the floor. This beautiful A-line baby doll feel is a perfect representation of this era. It would have been the height of chic to wear this shape of dress at the time and its still a classic silhouette now. I photoed the dress without any ribbon so you could see how it looks that way and I also took a shot of it with the ribbon tied around the natural waist. The look of the dress changes completely depending on which of the three ways you wear it and I love the versatility that this adds. The simplicity of the cut lets that stunning floral design take center stage. This is a stunning museum worthy example of his earliest RTW work and it is fabulous. Excellent condition with one tiny note below
Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with a zipper and buttons above that. Each cuff has snaps as seen in the photo before the label shot. The hem is finished with a finished edged seam and may have been let down at some point. There is a tiny area on the bodice where a couple of the threads of the weave have broken. It is backed by the lining so only seen upon close inspection but I am pointing it out for accuracy. Please see the photo after the label shot
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 48" from seam under the bust to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4171
Reference Photos: Drawings of the Fall 1966 Yves Saint Laurent Collection. From the book "Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Fashion Revolution."
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Incredible Fall 1993 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Black Silk Chiffon Dress W Ruffle Full Sleeves
I Have a Question
This is an interesting dress because Yves used the same pink feather styling that he did in this collection for a longer but very similar Haute Couture version that season. On the runway this dress was styled with a pink feather collar and then produced without. From a practical stand point it does make it far easier to get multiple wears out of it. It otherwise is identical to the runway version in design. Yves was a designer who mixed and matched ideas from couture to ready-to-wear with ease. More so than other designers I find. Sometimes the crossover details like this one has are just fascinating to see because of that. It is also a great way to get the design and look of a couture piece at a the price of ready-to-wear. The dress is absolutely gorgeous and I'm happy to have a video reference as well as photo reference so that you can see just how beautiful this is on an actual body.
The dress dips into a V at the front and skims over the bodice to meet the slightly high set curved seam at the waist. A wide black silk satin ribbon wraps around the waist following the curved seam. Where it meets in the center there is a large bow with five loops and a knot in the center. Under the skirt falls in three tiered layers of a black textured silk chiffon what a fourth layer acting as a lining under all of those. The top layer has extra fabric in the center and dips down for a pretty line that helps give the illusion of length. It also add some more chiffon that can float and move around you when you move. The layering of the silk makes it opaque enough to wear but still allows for the transparency and the lightness of the fabric to be apparent. The sleeves are beautiful. Each one poufs above an elastic cuff. Under the elastic there is a full circle ruffled cuff with two more layers of the silk for the prettiest feminine finish. In theory you could have a tailor or seamstress add a button in collar made of pink feathers if you really wanted to emulate the look of the runway piece. Either way the dress is absolutely gorgeous. Excellent condition with one small note below
Fully line in a black silk through the bodice. The skirt has an inner lining of silk chiffon. It closes with a side set zipper that goes up and into the underside of the arm. And waist stay hooks to close. Elastic in each cuff. Tag and YSL 38. It looks like the bodice at the V was taken in a bit. Please see the photo after the label shot.
Sleeves: 26"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seam
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to inner waist stay
Skirt: 25" from inner waist stay to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4167
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1993 Yves Saint Laurent Reference 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.

yves saint laurent
Documented Fall 2001 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 'Le Smoking' Suit w Exaggerated Collar
I Have a Question
This is a slightly more dramatic version of Yves classic tuxedo suit. For the runway it was presented with a longer skirt and that one was shown for Look 38 of the Fall 2001 Haute Couture collection. My client ordered it with the pencil skirt you see so that she could have more options to wear it. 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 that he first presented 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 have included runway photos, video and a photo of the original sketch. The sketch shot includes the fabric swatches above as per his atelier records and you can see it is the same fabric as this one. It is extraordinary set and I love it.
The extra wide collar is what sets this one apart from the many versions he did over the years. It is so bold and yet still elegant and refined in feel. There is nothing quite like the experience of slipping on a tailored to perfection piece of true Haute Couture. It somehow feels different and the feeling is something you can only really experience for yourself. The construction on both pieces is meticulous and it has been sourced from the original couture client. These tuxedo suits were all done a play on a men's tuxedo in mind and then were shaped and tweaked by Yves to be immensely flattering on the female body. It's looks simple but has master level tailoring behind it. The jacket has this sleek cut to it that follows the curves of the body. It is slightly cropped to sit just at the top of the hip. The lower part of the collar is finished in a black matte satin. It's size has been exaggerated to make it the focal point. under that is a single faceted button. Pockets are top set on each side and the shoulders are shaped. The fabric has a fine ribbing to it and it holds the lines perfectly. The skirt is cut into a simple pencil shape. I love that you separate pieces which gives you the versatility of being able to mix and match each piece with other things you already own. It is also a suit that depending on how do you style it, it can easily work for either day or as an evening suit. Yves tuxedo suits changed the way the world approached woman's wear and any example of the Le Smoking version is particularly collectible. This is a wonderful example of his couture tailoring. Itis an important piece of fashion history from one of his final collections. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition
Both pieces are hand lined in a black silk. The jacket closes with a button at the front and the skirt closes with a zipper and hook & eye at the waist. There are two pockets on the jacket. Both pieces are completely made by hand to couture standards. All proper Haute Couture tags present
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/Video: (1-7) Diana Gärtner for Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2001 Haute Couture Runway Collection. Look 38. / (8-9) Sketches for the Fall 2001 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Collection as shown in the "Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture: The Complete Works" Book Set.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Iconic Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Runway French Bulldog Printed Red Dress
I Have a Question
This might be one of the cutest dresses that Yves ever did and the print is of course an homage to his own French Bulldogs that he loved so much. Its twin walked the runway and was styled with a wide leather belt to really play on the proportions and cinch in the waist. It is one of my all time favourites and I am very pleased to have this wonderful dress in the shop for you.
This is gorgeous little dress. On the hanger it looks like nothing tell me a pill is that fantastic print. But it's just hits the body his genius with cut comes to life. The top is meant to be full and easy over you. The upper bodice is yoked on the front and the back and it has light padding in the shoulders for structure. A row of glossy white buttons closes the partial opening at the back of the neck. The waist is seamed and it is meant to blouse over top of it. If you decide to add a belt like they did on the runway it will really emphasize the waist and the volume above even more. This skirt is cut to be slightly fuller around the hips and then narrows down slightly as it reaches the hem. I love the slash pocket sit on each hip. The sleeve incredible. They come out from the top of the shoulder where they're slightly gathered and they are cut to come out from just above the waist and narrow down to an elastic cuff. This makes them incredibly full and when you push the up to just past the elbow they are even fuller as you can see in the reference photos. It's just a beautiful little dress and perfectly represents this time period. Excellent condition with a small note below.
Unlined and closes with a side set zipper. Three buttons at the back of the neck to close the small opening there. Elastic in each cuff. There is the tiniest bit of yellowing to one of the bulldog prints at the neckline and I see a repair at the top of the side zipper. It is completely hidden once in by the volume of the sleeves. Please see the photos after the label shot. Tagged a vintage YSL 40. It's oversized cut should work on smaller frames too
Sleeves: 17" and will pouf up more when on
Extended shoulders: 18"
Bust: open with no true side seams
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 18" from top of bodice to waist and will pouf up when on
Skirt: 24.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4197
Reference Photos: Spring 1987 Yves Saint Laurent 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.

yves saint laurent
Fall 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Iridescent Purple Silk Taffeta Gigot Sleeve Dress
I Have a Question
The twin of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 1982 show and I love that we found photos of it for you so you can see just how spectacular it is one and how the sleeves sit once on a body. This silhouette with its dramatic sleeves and full skirts was an important element for that season. It is just a stunning example of one of his most recognized looks.
The dress is made from a combination of two of his favorite fabrics, silk taffeta and silk velvet. These became signatures of his and ran through his collections from the start of his career to the finish. It is a stunning piece. The top is cut to skim over the bust with a scooped neckline at the front. It is seamed at the waist and then extends down over the top of the hips. There is an attached silk taffeta sash that wraps around the waist and cinches you in for added shape and detail at the waist. The sleeves are full with a beautiful sweeping cut that starts at the shoulders and remains full to just past the elbow. At that point the fabric changes to to a velvet. Four glossy dome buttons detail the lower part of the sleeve. These are meant to be pushed up slightly to exaggerate that pouf of the upper sleeve even more. The skirt falls from under the velvet and it is beautifully full. The photos do not really do the amount of fabric in the skirt full justice. I love that under the top purple layer of silk there is a lining finished in a coral red silk taffeta. You don't see that inner layer when you are standing, but when you sit or move just right, you get that extra flash of color. It's a small detail that I am obsessed with. The fabric choices helps keep the intended shape and volume. Pieces by Yves from this time period have become an important piece of fashion history and having documentation like this one has makes it that much better. Excellent condition.
Fully lined through the bodice in a black silk satin. The skirt is lined in a deep red silk taffeta and the sleeves are unlined. It closes at the side with a metal and nylon zipper and each cuff buttons to close. The sash is attached at the back. Slight flattening to the velvet here and there along the waist seam that is covered by the belt once on. Tagged a vintage YSL 40.
Sleeves: 29"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 17" from shoulder to waist
Skirt: 43.5" from waist to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD2856
Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1982 Yves Saint Laurent Runway. / (3) Alice Englert wearing this dress for Harper's Bazaar, 2023.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Rare & Exceptional Spring 1966 Yves Saint Laurent Sketch Documented Floral Print Dress
I Have a Question
Yves Saint Laurent opened his first ready-to-wear boutique on September 26, 1966 in Paris. For the opening he showcased his Fall 1966 Rive Gauche collection but what a lot of people don’t know is that he already had a rtw line. He created his first ready-to-wear collection for the Fall of 1964 with an in-house boutique collection of 35 designs including accessories. This dress is from one of those extremely rare collections that pre-dates the opening of the shop. It is from the Spring 1966 collection and represents one of the earliest ready-to-wear pieces he would have made. Because it pre-dates the actual boutique opening it would have only been made available to you if you were an existing couture client. Only a few of these would have been made. The numbers are probably along the same lines as the couture pieces as far as quantity. This one is extra special because it’s documented which is even more rare. We found a copy of the original sketch and fabric samples in one of the the Saint Laurent books and even they did not have the actual dress to show with that sketch. He did two pieces for the collection in this fabric. The first photo after the label shot here is the twin to this dress and the second is the other similar one that was a part of this collection. Finding a piece that was a forerunner to the boutique launch when that boutique concept went on to revolutionize the world of fashion is truly something truly special. This is a dress made valuable by its place in history.
The dress is beautiful in its simplicity. It is made out of a loose woven cotton feeling fabric that has a stunning and vivid floral print screen onto it. The print is the same that you see in the sketch fabric samples in the attached reference photo. It is a bright combination of blue, green, pinks, corals and yellows all done in an intricate floral pattern that covers the entire dress.The sleeves are cut to go to just past the elbow and are cuffed. On the cuff they have two sets of little snaps spaced close to each other so you can bring the cuff in a little bit to hold them in place in case you wear them pushed up higher on the arm. Above that they pouf out above the cuffs for a pretty fullness. The neckline is scooped at the front and at the back. At the back that scoop dips a little lower for a bit of skin to show. I love how it buttons to close above the zipper at the back with two matching fabric buttons. At the front there is a seam that is set just under the bust. You were meant to tie a ribbon under there as you can see in the sketch. I added a pretty blue grosgrain ribbon but you could add any colour ribbon that picks up on any of the colours of the dress or the accessories you choose to wear with the dress. The dress falls from there and widens out to be very loose and easy over the waist and hips before falling down to the floor. This beautiful A-line baby doll feel is a perfect representation of this era. It would have been the height of chic to wear this shape of dress at the time and its still a classic silhouette now. I photoed the dress without any ribbon so you could see how it looks that way and I also took a shot of it with the ribbon tied around the natural waist. The look of the dress changes completely depending on which of the three ways you wear it and I love the versatility that this adds. The simplicity of the cut lets that stunning floral design take center stage. This is a stunning museum worthy example of his earliest RTW work and it is fabulous. Excellent condition with one tiny note below
Fully lined in a black silk and closes at the back with a zipper and buttons above that. Each cuff has snaps as seen in the photo before the label shot. The hem is finished with a finished edged seam and may have been let down at some point. There is a tiny area on the bodice where a couple of the threads of the weave have broken. It is backed by the lining so only seen upon close inspection but I am pointing it out for accuracy. Please see the photo after the label shot
Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Seam under bust: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Natural waist: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 9.5" from top of shoulder to seam under the bust
Skirt: 48" from seam under the bust to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED
Item# DD4171
Reference Photos: Drawings of the Fall 1966 Yves Saint Laurent Collection. From the book "Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Fashion Revolution."
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

yves saint laurent
Incredible Fall 1993 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Black Silk Chiffon Dress W Ruffle Full Sleeves
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This is an interesting dress because Yves used the same pink feather styling that he did in this collection for a longer but very similar Haute Couture version that season. On the runway this dress was styled with a pink feather collar and then produced without. From a practical stand point it does make it far easier to get multiple wears out of it. It otherwise is identical to the runway version in design. Yves was a designer who mixed and matched ideas from couture to ready-to-wear with ease. More so than other designers I find. Sometimes the crossover details like this one has are just fascinating to see because of that. It is also a great way to get the design and look of a couture piece at a the price of ready-to-wear. The dress is absolutely gorgeous and I'm happy to have a video reference as well as photo reference so that you can see just how beautiful this is on an actual body.
The dress dips into a V at the front and skims over the bodice to meet the slightly high set curved seam at the waist. A wide black silk satin ribbon wraps around the waist following the curved seam. Where it meets in the center there is a large bow with five loops and a knot in the center. Under the skirt falls in three tiered layers of a black textured silk chiffon what a fourth layer acting as a lining under all of those. The top layer has extra fabric in the center and dips down for a pretty line that helps give the illusion of length. It also add some more chiffon that can float and move around you when you move. The layering of the silk makes it opaque enough to wear but still allows for the transparency and the lightness of the fabric to be apparent. The sleeves are beautiful. Each one poufs above an elastic cuff. Under the elastic there is a full circle ruffled cuff with two more layers of the silk for the prettiest feminine finish. In theory you could have a tailor or seamstress add a button in collar made of pink feathers if you really wanted to emulate the look of the runway piece. Either way the dress is absolutely gorgeous. Excellent condition with one small note below
Fully line in a black silk through the bodice. The skirt has an inner lining of silk chiffon. It closes with a side set zipper that goes up and into the underside of the arm. And waist stay hooks to close. Elastic in each cuff. Tag and YSL 38. It looks like the bodice at the V was taken in a bit. Please see the photo after the label shot.
Sleeves: 26"
Shoulders: no true shoulder seam
Bust: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to inner waist stay
Skirt: 25" from inner waist stay to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4167
Reference Photos/Video: Fall 1993 Yves Saint Laurent Reference 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.