1980's YVES SAINT LAURENT sequined dress with ruched bodice
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 39 in (99.06 cm)Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content label missing. Ruched portion appears to be silk. Velvet straps. Sequined bottom.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8120698302
Yves Saint Laurent
French designer Yves Saint Laurent pioneered “cross-design” in fashion, taking inspiration from street trends to modernize haute couture.
Saint Laurent was the first to launch a ready-to-wear label, YSL Rive Gauche Prêt-à-Porter. He was the first couturier to open boutiques for both men and women. Using traditional menswear fabrics and designs for women, Saint Laurent also literally cross-dressed, giving men and women alike chic pant suits, elegant tuxedo jackets and urban safari gear.
By blurring gender-specific design, Saint Laurent empowered individual style while creating a scissor-sharp fashion aesthetic of sensual ease and beauty. Many of his designs are today considered timeless classics. Saint Laurent also consistently used Black models, like Mounia, Iman and Naomi Campbell, and he drew endless inspiration from different ethnicities and cultures, in no small part because of his Algerian roots.
Born to French parents in Oran, Algeria, in 1936, Saint Laurent went to Paris at age 17 to study fashion at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Just two years later, in 1955, his remarkable sketches were shown to Christian Dior, then the world’s reigning couturier, who hired him immediately.
Surprisingly soon thereafter, Dior publicly chose Saint Laurent as his successor, which sadly proved prescient when the fashion legend died unexpectedly, in 1957. A mere slip of a youth, the 21-year-old Saint Laurent was nevertheless up to the challenge. He shook the traditional couture clientele to its core with youthful silhouettes and styles like the A-line trapeze dress that hung with seeming effortlessness from the shoulders, the antithesis of the pinched waists and molded skirts that had been all the rage after the deprivations of World War II.
After a mandated spell in the torturous French military, Saint Laurent suffered a nervous breakdown and was dismissed by Dior in 1962. Out of the ashes rose the Age of Yves. With Pierre Bergé, his then-lover who became his lifelong business partner and friend, the designer founded Yves Saint Laurent YSL to encompass prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear. In 1966, they opened the first YSL Rive Gauche women’s boutique in Paris, followed soon thereafter by YSL Rive Gauche for men. Saint Laurent had given birth to a global brand.
His revolutionary Mondrian mini dress from 1965 is a core element of his fashion biography. It is a prime example of how Saint Laurent, an avid art lover and collector, looked to painters, from Goya to Picasso, Ingres to Matisse, for inspiration.
With its pure lines and hues, Mondrian’s ground-breaking 1935 color-block painting Composition C transmutes beautifully into a dress that is highly valued by collectors of contemporary fashion and widely copied commercially to this day. The design is the epitome of Saint Laurent’s aesthetic, requiring a meticulous hand-piecing of each color block so that, despite the body’s curves, the visual plane is as flat as a canvas when the garment is worn. Mondrian’s purity met its match in Saint Laurent.
“I am no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, but with the perfection of my style,” Saint Laurent said four years before retiring, in 2002. After a long period of ill health, he died at his home in Paris on June 1, 2008.
Browse an extraordinary collection of vintage Yves Saint Laurent evening dresses, shirts, handbags and other clothing and accessories today on 1stDibs.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Visionary French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent was the first to launch a ready-to-wear label, YSL Rive Gauche Prêt-à-Porter. The inaugural Rive Gauche boutique — a modern shop in Paris’s bustling, bohemian Left Bank district — offered stylish garments and accessories that were intended to be affordable for a younger generation of fashion enthusiasts. The store featured Mies van der Rohe chairs and played host to actor Catherine Deneuve during its grand opening.
Saint Laurent pioneered “cross-design” in fashion, taking inspiration from street trends to modernize haute couture. He was the first couturier to open boutiques for both men and women. Using traditional menswear fabrics and designs for women, he also literally cross-dressed, giving men and women alike chic pant suits, elegant tuxedo jackets and urban safari gear. By blurring gender-specific design, he empowered individual style while creating a scissor-sharp fashion aesthetic of sensual ease and beauty. Many of his designs are today considered timeless classics. Saint Laurent also consistently used Black models, like Mounia, Iman and Naomi Campbell, and he drew endless inspiration from different ethnicities and cultures, in no small part because of his Algerian roots.
Born to French parents in Oran, Algeria, in 1936, Saint Laurent went to Paris at age 17 to study fashion at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Just two years later, in 1955, his remarkable sketches were shown to Christian Dior, then the world’s reigning couturier, who hired him immediately.
Surprisingly soon thereafter, Dior publicly chose Saint Laurent as his successor, which sadly proved prescient when the fashion legend died unexpectedly, in 1957. A mere slip of a youth, the 21-year-old Saint Laurent was nevertheless up to the challenge. He shook the traditional couture clientele to its core with youthful silhouettes and styles like the A-line trapeze dress that hung with seeming effortlessness from the shoulders, the antithesis of the pinched waists and molded skirts that had been all the rage after the deprivations of World War II.
After a mandated spell in the torturous French military, Saint Laurent suffered a nervous breakdown and was dismissed by Dior in 1962. Out of the ashes rose the Age of Yves. With Pierre Bergé, his then-lover who became his lifelong business partner and friend, the designer founded Yves Saint Laurent YSL to encompass prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear. In 1966, they opened the first YSL Rive Gauche women’s boutique in Paris — Rive Gauche is French for “left bank” — followed soon thereafter by YSL Rive Gauche for men. Ready-to-wear materialized during a period of dynamic transformation and experimentation and came to dominate the Paris fashion scene. Saint Laurent had given birth to a global brand.
His revolutionary Mondrian mini dress from 1965 is a core element of his fashion biography. It is a prime example of how Saint Laurent, an avid art lover and collector, looked to painters, from Goya to Picasso, Ingres to Matisse, for inspiration.
With its pure lines and hues, Mondrian’s ground-breaking 1935 color-block painting Composition C transmutes beautifully into a dress that is highly valued by collectors of contemporary fashion and widely copied commercially to this day. The design is the epitome of Saint Laurent’s aesthetic, requiring a meticulous hand piecing of each color block so that, despite the body’s curves, the visual plane is as flat as a canvas when the garment is worn. Mondrian’s purity met its match in Saint Laurent.
“I am no longer concerned with sensation and innovation, but with the perfection of my style,” Saint Laurent said four years before retiring, in 2002. After a long period of ill health, he died at his home in Paris on June 1, 2008.
The vintage YSL Rive Gauche clothing for sale on 1stDibs includes evening dresses and gowns, jackets, shoes, handbags and other items.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1960's PIERRE CARDIN brown sequined demi-couture dressBy Pierre CardinLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, rust-brown sequined demi-couture dress trimmed in velvet designed by Pierre Cardin dating to the 1960's. Dress best fits a US 2 or 4 and possibly a slim hipped size 6. Mea...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Jacqueline De Ribes black velvet and tulle dress, 1980sBy Jacqueline de RibesLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery unique, jet-black velvet dress with tulle sleeves from Jacqueline de Ribes dating to the 1980's. Very flattering fitted bodice with full skirt. Fits a US size 4-6. Approximate m...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 2020 VALENTINO red silk dress with velvet flowers and trimBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAStunning red sheer silk gown with velvet rose motif from Valentino dating to spring of 2020. Size 6. Approximate measurements for slip (outer floral layer is full): bust 34", hips 40...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1970's GALANOS black box pleated silk jersey dress with asymmetrical necklineBy GalanosLocated in San Fransisco, CAStunning jet-black, silk jersey gown with fluted box pleated bodice from James Galanos dating to the 1970's. Dress has a very strong silhouette with a very u...Category
1960s American Maxi Dress
- new 2017 SAINT LAURENT by Anthony Vaccarello black velvet RUNWAY dress with roseBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black velvet dress with long attached scarf and rose brooch detail designed by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent exactly as seen on the 2017 fall runway. Dress can b...Category
2010s French Evening Gowns
- NEW VALENTINO ruffled green velvet midi runway dress, 2016By ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CALush green velvet midi dress with ruffled neckline from Valentino exactly as seen on the fall 2016 runway. Italian size 40. Approximate measurements: bust 32-34", waist 27", hips 45"...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel 13P Spring 2013 Wool Tweed Runway Sequins Faux Pearl Dress 38 NewBy ChanelLocated in Merced, CAChanel runway tweed sequins dress from Chanel spring 2013 runway dress adorned with Cc logo buttons and faux pearl.Category
Mid-20th Century French Shift Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s Michel Klein Blue velvet dressLocated in Milano, IT1980s Michel Klein Blue velvet dress with crossed V-neck and full skirt, long sleeves. Knee length. Button closure on the front. Size IT : 40 Size USA: 6 MEASURES Waist: 68 cm Len...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Multi Floral Chiffon GownBy Barbara TfankLocated in Los Angeles, CAEnchanting, delightful! From the Barbara Tfank Spring 2008 collection inspired by Anita Loos and “Screwball’ comedies, this delicate silk chiffon, portrait neckline gown comes in the...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace by Donatella Pre-Fall 2008 Ruched purple stretch slit gownBy Donatella Versace, VersaceLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Donatella Versace - Sold by Skof.Archive - Pre-Fall 2008 - Purple stretch Versace gown - Slinky one shoulder - High-slit dress debuted on the season's runway as look ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi DressBy Carole LittleLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into classic elegance with the Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi Dress. This white lace masterpiece features a flattering scoop neck, adding a touch of timeless femininity to it...Category
1990s Korean Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Verheyen London Flower Kimono dress in Italian Silk Satin - One SizeBy Verheyen LondonLocated in London, GBVerheyen London Flower Kimono dress in Italian Silk Satin - One Size The Verheyen London Kimono is the perfect dress for evening wear or coat dress to wear with a pair of jeans and...Category
2010s Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake YSL Bag
Counterfeiters know that savvy fashionistas cherish YSL bags. Learn how to tell if yours is the real deal. Of course, you don't have to worry about that on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.
Quiet Luxury May Be Trending, but These Famous Interiors Prove That Quality and Quirk Endure
Because truly timeless design requires personal vision, transcendent taste, real fortitude and top-notch objects, even if the wider world hasn’t caught on yet.