When dating this great little Couture Yves Saint Laurent we noticed that the fabric is a variation of pieces for the Fall 1994 show and that also fits the style and feel of the dress. I also dived into my folio collection book and there were pieces in that collection that used this same fabric as evidenced by the swatch. I have included these reference photos for you hear so that you can share that bit of detective work with me. The dress is gorgeous and in person the fabric seems to have an inner glow. It really is a beautiful piece and owning a piece of his couture work is really one of the ultimate vintage acquisitions.

The dress is amazing and a classic Yves Saint Laurent cut and silhouette. It is made entirely by hand and the silk is of the highest possible grade. It feels stupendous on. The top is cut to skim over you and blouse over the waist. The shoulder have light padding just at their outer edges to slightly extend them outward. The shoulders are set into the bodice with gathers so that they slightly pouf above the shoulder line. The sleeves are full and voluminous above their ruffled cuffs. It does up along the neckline to one side and buttons to close. The buttons are hidden under a flap of silk and the fabric is matched on the side it buttons to. The neckline is high and there is a long attached scarf that wraps around your neck. It is set so that one side is longer then the other so that when you tie it is sits properly. Each end of the scarf ends with a two color silk fringe that I love. The waist is finished with elastic so it is incredibly easy to wear. You can add a belt over it if you wanted a really cinched in look. The skirt falls under that in a simple pencil to just about the knee or above depending on your height. There ore hidden set pockets along each hip. The colour of the silk is the best thing about the dress. It is a mix of a bright pink fuchsia and a deep purple with the pink acting as a design that runs over the entire dress. It is truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. And it is just so good on the body. A masterpiece. Excellent condition with a note below.

Unlined with hand finished inner seams. It slips over the head to wear with elastic at the waist and hidden set buttons at the neck as described and shown. Each cuff buttons to close. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture numbered label present. Once of the buttons on the cuff has chipped and I see one small repair under the arm near the seam. Please see the two photos after the label shot.

Sleeves: 25" but will pouf up
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist but mean to blouse a bit
Skirt: 20.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3996

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1994 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Runway. / (3) From the book YVES SAINT LAURENT. Haute Couture. L'OEUVRE INTÉGRAL 1962-2002.

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 Yves Saint Laurent dress is remarkable. The designs for pieces like this often built on previous Haute Couture collections and you can see the influence and progression from his earlier Russian collection in its lines. As time progressed, Yves exaggerated those lines used for the 1977 collection and by 1981 the sleeves were far more dramatic as you see here. Similar dresses from that year were photoed for various editorials and I have included two of those shots here for your reference. It is a stunning dress ad is instantly identifiable as being Yve's work.

The dress is made from a combination of two of his signatures fabrics, an iridescent silk taffeta and a rich silk velvet. The sleeves are very dramatic and the star of the dress. Each is cut in a classic gigot sleeve with this fantastic fullness that starts at the gathers in the shoulder and remains full  billowing out to the elbow. He the switches from the silk to a velvet and this covers the lower arm to the wrist. Four glossy dome buttons run down that cuff to the wrist. The top is cut to skim over the bust with a scooped neckline at the front. It is seamed at the waist and then the velvet extends down over the top of the hips. There is an attached silk taffeta sash that wraps around the waist and cinch you in for added shape. The skirt falls from there and is beautifully full. The photos do not really do the amount of fabric in the skirt full justice. Under the top purple layer of silk is a lining 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 absolutely love. The choice of the silk taffeta as the primary fabric allows the dress to still be fairly light in weight despite the layers. It also helps to retain its shape and fullness.  It is wonderful. Pieces by Yves from this time period have become an important piece of fashion history. 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 Photo: (1) 1981 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.  /  (2) Model in Yves Saint Laurent, credit unknown.

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 is dress is the twin of the dress that walked the fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche runway. I was so pleased to find a shot of it on because it really shows you just how much it comes to life when worn. That runway shot is a little extra special as it was captured with Yves in the photo with it during his final bow of the show. It is extraordinary. The dress has never been worn and still has its original hang tag attached. It is a stunning example of his work during this time period. I am in complete love with it

The dress is almost startling in its beauty and impact. It is made from a moire finished velvet in a deep blood red. The pile on this type of velvet lies flatter to the surface and the moire pattern in it is achieved by manipulation of the plush of the velvet in different directions when it is made. This allows it to catch the light much more then a normal velvet and it gives it a depth and texture that I love. The pattern is cleverly set over the dress to come in at an angle towards the center of the dress. This gives the illusion of extra height and curves.The colour is fabulous. Every line of the dress is perfection. It falls from the shaped off shoulders to skim over you and follow the curve of your body. From the waist it falls in one supermodel long sheath to the floor widening out gently as it reaches the hem. There are inset panels around the skirt set in so that the lower skirt flares out and balances out the shape at the top of the dress. When you walk the lower skirts kick out and add movement to the piece. The back is as sleek as the front. The sleeves are long and narrow in to the wrist. It has such impact to see it on person and the way the velvet catch the light from every angle. It is spectacular and a wonderful example of Yve's work during this time period. It was never worn and still has its original hang tag. Excellent condition

Fully lined in fine red silk and closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. Each cuff zippers to close. Tagged a 38. Light padding in each shoulder. Original hang tag attached.

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from neck to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3990

Reference Photo: Fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Presentation.

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

I have had one of these dresses in the shop before and it is one of my favorites. It's twin walked the runway that season and then the dress was photoed by David Seidner before it was released to the public to purchase. It is a beautiful example of Yves work during this time period and one of my favorite dresses by him. I myself own one and I love it. It is extraordinarily beautiful.

The first thing you will notice about the dress is that it is as light as air. It is made from a feather light silk voile that has enough crispness to it to hold the shape but that adds as little weight as possible. The dress is strapless and the bodice is gathered into soft draping pleats that are gathered in and held in place down the seam on both sides. There is no shaping or boning inside. It simple drapes over your body and your coverage is provided by two layers of the fabric and the opaqueness caused by that double layer of silk combined with the draping. The gathers run from the top of the bodice to just below the hip. The seam that ends at the hip is cut on a slight downward angle so that the visual line it creates adds length. The skirt falls under that to the floor and it is also made from a double layer of the same fabric. The two layers of the skirt float over each other and will move with your slightest movement. Attached all the way around that seam at the hip is a wide sash of fabric. It extends out into extra long ties at one side. This is how you create that fabulous big soft bow at the side. This adds so much detail and volume and I love it. The print that runs over the entire dress is the perfect final finish. It combines a pretty purple with a muted green and an off-white. The fabric has a touch of transparency to it and with the double layer of the silk the pattern floats over itself and there is a depth created by the effect of the two patterns layered over each other that is fantastic. One of my favorite pieces ever. It is even better in person. Excellent condition

The second inner layer of the same fabric acts as the lining. It closes with a side set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3960

Reference Photo: (1) S/S 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Collection. Model: Anna Bayle.  /  (2) Yves Saint Laurent 1983, David Seidner Archives.

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 dress is one of the several versions that were produced for the Fall 1987 season. Versions  and variations of the dress were done for both the Haute Couture runway and Rive Gauche. A somewhat similar version in pink and black, worn by Naomi, was featured in the fall ad campaign for the Rive Gauche label. As much as I love the pink version, I think that the all black is even more wearable for a larger variety of occasions. This dress is also one of the most dramatic of all the similar examples I have shared here and I love that about it.

The dress is strapless with a wonderful curved bodice and short fitted cut. The fabric is so unusual. It has a slight bubbled textured feel to it which makes it a much more interesting choice than a plain black fabric would have. I love the ruffle detailing that finishes the edges. This is a classic YSL touch that adds to the impact the dress has. The ruffles follow the upward curving edge of the bodice and then go all the way down and around the back. A double layer of wider ruffles edge the bottom hem to give it extra volume and flare. The front of the skirt has an extra apron-like overlay that has allowed him to curve one of the ruffled finishes along its edge and up to the hip. At that side of the hip is a large black bow set slightly to the back if the side. The bow is made of the same silk taffeta that the ruffles are made from. This adds incredible volume and I love it. Everything about the cut of the dress is done to highlight the curves of the body from the way the hem is set to that final ruffle that curves across the back. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black cotton and the interior bodice is lightly boned for shape and support. Inner waist stay that hooks to close  and the back closes with a fine metal zipper. Tagged a vintage YSL 38

Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 31" from top seam of the bodice to hem and the top ruffle adds 2.5" inches above the top seam of the bodice

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3090

Reference Photos: (1) Naomi Campbell for Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, F/W 1987.  /  (2-3) Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture S/S 1987 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.

When dating this great little Couture Yves Saint Laurent we noticed that the fabric is a variation of pieces for the Fall 1994 show and that also fits the style and feel of the dress. I also dived into my folio collection book and there were pieces in that collection that used this same fabric as evidenced by the swatch. I have included these reference photos for you hear so that you can share that bit of detective work with me. The dress is gorgeous and in person the fabric seems to have an inner glow. It really is a beautiful piece and owning a piece of his couture work is really one of the ultimate vintage acquisitions.

The dress is amazing and a classic Yves Saint Laurent cut and silhouette. It is made entirely by hand and the silk is of the highest possible grade. It feels stupendous on. The top is cut to skim over you and blouse over the waist. The shoulder have light padding just at their outer edges to slightly extend them outward. The shoulders are set into the bodice with gathers so that they slightly pouf above the shoulder line. The sleeves are full and voluminous above their ruffled cuffs. It does up along the neckline to one side and buttons to close. The buttons are hidden under a flap of silk and the fabric is matched on the side it buttons to. The neckline is high and there is a long attached scarf that wraps around your neck. It is set so that one side is longer then the other so that when you tie it is sits properly. Each end of the scarf ends with a two color silk fringe that I love. The waist is finished with elastic so it is incredibly easy to wear. You can add a belt over it if you wanted a really cinched in look. The skirt falls under that in a simple pencil to just about the knee or above depending on your height. There ore hidden set pockets along each hip. The colour of the silk is the best thing about the dress. It is a mix of a bright pink fuchsia and a deep purple with the pink acting as a design that runs over the entire dress. It is truly a brilliant dress and when you see it in person you will fall in love with how good it is in person. And it is just so good on the body. A masterpiece. Excellent condition with a note below.

Unlined with hand finished inner seams. It slips over the head to wear with elastic at the waist and hidden set buttons at the neck as described and shown. Each cuff buttons to close. Completely made by hand. Proper Haute Couture numbered label present. Once of the buttons on the cuff has chipped and I see one small repair under the arm near the seam. Please see the two photos after the label shot.

Sleeves: 25" but will pouf up
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 16" from top of bodice to waist but mean to blouse a bit
Skirt: 20.5" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3996

Reference Photos: (1-2) Fall 1994 Yves Saint Laurent Couture Runway. / (3) From the book YVES SAINT LAURENT. Haute Couture. L'OEUVRE INTÉGRAL 1962-2002.

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 Yves Saint Laurent dress is remarkable. The designs for pieces like this often built on previous Haute Couture collections and you can see the influence and progression from his earlier Russian collection in its lines. As time progressed, Yves exaggerated those lines used for the 1977 collection and by 1981 the sleeves were far more dramatic as you see here. Similar dresses from that year were photoed for various editorials and I have included two of those shots here for your reference. It is a stunning dress ad is instantly identifiable as being Yve's work.

The dress is made from a combination of two of his signatures fabrics, an iridescent silk taffeta and a rich silk velvet. The sleeves are very dramatic and the star of the dress. Each is cut in a classic gigot sleeve with this fantastic fullness that starts at the gathers in the shoulder and remains full  billowing out to the elbow. He the switches from the silk to a velvet and this covers the lower arm to the wrist. Four glossy dome buttons run down that cuff to the wrist. The top is cut to skim over the bust with a scooped neckline at the front. It is seamed at the waist and then the velvet extends down over the top of the hips. There is an attached silk taffeta sash that wraps around the waist and cinch you in for added shape. The skirt falls from there and is beautifully full. The photos do not really do the amount of fabric in the skirt full justice. Under the top purple layer of silk is a lining 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 absolutely love. The choice of the silk taffeta as the primary fabric allows the dress to still be fairly light in weight despite the layers. It also helps to retain its shape and fullness.  It is wonderful. Pieces by Yves from this time period have become an important piece of fashion history. 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 Photo: (1) 1981 Yves Saint Laurent Runway.  /  (2) Model in Yves Saint Laurent, credit unknown.

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 is dress is the twin of the dress that walked the fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche runway. I was so pleased to find a shot of it on because it really shows you just how much it comes to life when worn. That runway shot is a little extra special as it was captured with Yves in the photo with it during his final bow of the show. It is extraordinary. The dress has never been worn and still has its original hang tag attached. It is a stunning example of his work during this time period. I am in complete love with it

The dress is almost startling in its beauty and impact. It is made from a moire finished velvet in a deep blood red. The pile on this type of velvet lies flatter to the surface and the moire pattern in it is achieved by manipulation of the plush of the velvet in different directions when it is made. This allows it to catch the light much more then a normal velvet and it gives it a depth and texture that I love. The pattern is cleverly set over the dress to come in at an angle towards the center of the dress. This gives the illusion of extra height and curves.The colour is fabulous. Every line of the dress is perfection. It falls from the shaped off shoulders to skim over you and follow the curve of your body. From the waist it falls in one supermodel long sheath to the floor widening out gently as it reaches the hem. There are inset panels around the skirt set in so that the lower skirt flares out and balances out the shape at the top of the dress. When you walk the lower skirts kick out and add movement to the piece. The back is as sleek as the front. The sleeves are long and narrow in to the wrist. It has such impact to see it on person and the way the velvet catch the light from every angle. It is spectacular and a wonderful example of Yve's work during this time period. It was never worn and still has its original hang tag. Excellent condition

Fully lined in fine red silk and closes with a hidden set zipper at the back. Each cuff zippers to close. Tagged a 38. Light padding in each shoulder. Original hang tag attached.

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from neck to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3990

Reference Photo: Fall 1998 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Presentation.

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

I have had one of these dresses in the shop before and it is one of my favorites. It's twin walked the runway that season and then the dress was photoed by David Seidner before it was released to the public to purchase. It is a beautiful example of Yves work during this time period and one of my favorite dresses by him. I myself own one and I love it. It is extraordinarily beautiful.

The first thing you will notice about the dress is that it is as light as air. It is made from a feather light silk voile that has enough crispness to it to hold the shape but that adds as little weight as possible. The dress is strapless and the bodice is gathered into soft draping pleats that are gathered in and held in place down the seam on both sides. There is no shaping or boning inside. It simple drapes over your body and your coverage is provided by two layers of the fabric and the opaqueness caused by that double layer of silk combined with the draping. The gathers run from the top of the bodice to just below the hip. The seam that ends at the hip is cut on a slight downward angle so that the visual line it creates adds length. The skirt falls under that to the floor and it is also made from a double layer of the same fabric. The two layers of the skirt float over each other and will move with your slightest movement. Attached all the way around that seam at the hip is a wide sash of fabric. It extends out into extra long ties at one side. This is how you create that fabulous big soft bow at the side. This adds so much detail and volume and I love it. The print that runs over the entire dress is the perfect final finish. It combines a pretty purple with a muted green and an off-white. The fabric has a touch of transparency to it and with the double layer of the silk the pattern floats over itself and there is a depth created by the effect of the two patterns layered over each other that is fantastic. One of my favorite pieces ever. It is even better in person. Excellent condition

The second inner layer of the same fabric acts as the lining. It closes with a side set zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 52" from top of bodice to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3960

Reference Photo: (1) S/S 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Runway Collection. Model: Anna Bayle.  /  (2) Yves Saint Laurent 1983, David Seidner Archives.

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 dress is one of the several versions that were produced for the Fall 1987 season. Versions  and variations of the dress were done for both the Haute Couture runway and Rive Gauche. A somewhat similar version in pink and black, worn by Naomi, was featured in the fall ad campaign for the Rive Gauche label. As much as I love the pink version, I think that the all black is even more wearable for a larger variety of occasions. This dress is also one of the most dramatic of all the similar examples I have shared here and I love that about it.

The dress is strapless with a wonderful curved bodice and short fitted cut. The fabric is so unusual. It has a slight bubbled textured feel to it which makes it a much more interesting choice than a plain black fabric would have. I love the ruffle detailing that finishes the edges. This is a classic YSL touch that adds to the impact the dress has. The ruffles follow the upward curving edge of the bodice and then go all the way down and around the back. A double layer of wider ruffles edge the bottom hem to give it extra volume and flare. The front of the skirt has an extra apron-like overlay that has allowed him to curve one of the ruffled finishes along its edge and up to the hip. At that side of the hip is a large black bow set slightly to the back if the side. The bow is made of the same silk taffeta that the ruffles are made from. This adds incredible volume and I love it. Everything about the cut of the dress is done to highlight the curves of the body from the way the hem is set to that final ruffle that curves across the back. It is gorgeous. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black cotton and the interior bodice is lightly boned for shape and support. Inner waist stay that hooks to close  and the back closes with a fine metal zipper. Tagged a vintage YSL 38

Bust: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 31" from top seam of the bodice to hem and the top ruffle adds 2.5" inches above the top seam of the bodice

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3090

Reference Photos: (1) Naomi Campbell for Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, F/W 1987.  /  (2-3) Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture S/S 1987 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.