Yves Saint Laurent polka-dot jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 22.45 in (57 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)
- Style:circa 1990 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
- Reference Number:
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: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Christian Dior Vest in Shades of Green and Camouflage PatternBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior - Openwork vest in shades of green and camouflage pattern. No size indicated, it fits a 36FR/38FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Sleeve length: 60 cm Length: 55 cm Condit...Category
2010s Vests
- Christian Lacroix Black Velvet Jacket with Silk LiningBy Christian LacroixLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRChristian Lacroix - (Made in France) Black velvet jacket with silk lining. No size label, it fits a 36FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 41 cm, Sleeve length: ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Dior Jacket in Black WoolBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior - (Made in Italy) Jacket in black wool, very low cut. Collection 2003. Size 40FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 38 cm, Chest: 43 cm, Sleeve length: 54 cm...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Versace Viscose JacketBy Gianni Versace, VersaceLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRVersace - (Made in Italy) Viscose jacket, size 44IT. To note, rare pulled threads. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 42 cm, Chest: 48 cm, Sleeve length: 64 cm, Le...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Christian Dior Black Wool and Silk JacketBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior -(Made in France) Black wool and silk jacket. Size 42FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Shoulder width: 44 cm Chest: 54 cm Sleeve length: 48 cm Length: 67 cm Condition:...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Romeo Gigli Black VestBy Romeo GigliLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRRomeo Gigli - (Made in Italy) Long black knitted cardigan. Size 38FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Sleeve length: 59 cm Length: 100 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller ...Category
1980s Italian Vests
- Dolce & Gabbana lamé brocade double-breasted blazer jacket, ss 1993By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana multicoloured double-breasted blazer jacket ▪ The textile consists of a patchwork of colourful lamé brocades and floral jacquards ▪ Large antique-style metal butto...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- Issey Miyake black nylon oversized parachute coat, fw 1987By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBIssey Miyake; Black nylon oversized parachute coat with batwing sleeves and two front pockets Fall-Winter 1987Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- 1970s Debeaux Multicolour JacketLocated in Capri, IT1970s Debeaux Multicolour Jacket Embellished botton Totally made in italy in italian size range 44Category
1970s Italian Jackets
- Pamela Flower embellished Blu jacketLocated in Capri, ITPamela Flower embellished Blu jacket Inside Leopard Totally made in italy in size MCategory
1980s Italian Jackets
- Black&white tweed " trompe l'oeil" double-lay jacket Proenza SchoulerBy Proenza SchoulerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack&white tweed " trompe l'oeil" double-lay jacket. Fabric composition: 90% silk 10% cotton. Black rayon lining. SIZE 4 USCategory
2010s Italian Jackets
- New! Schiaparelli Heart w/Arrow dress Jacket 2019 LOWERED PRICE****By SchiaparelliLocated in Los Angeles, CA****Price has been lowered to from $7500 to $5500 Beautiful Schiaparelli black wool blazer with signature large red heart pierced by embroidered gold arrows, with a small spray of clear stones. Four (4) small delicate buttons showcasing Signature "S" and 3 more of the famous "lock." All buttons are encased and trimmed in tiny stones on each wrist. Two (2) concealed covered front closure snaps. Lining of blue silk and red hearts pierced with arrows. Two (2) front pockets. Jacket is exquisitely designed and tailored as in a couture garment. See vintage image...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
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.