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Yves Saint Laurent

French, 1936-2008

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.

Average Sold Price
$934
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Yves Saint Laurent fashion for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Yves Saint Laurent fashion available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of red, purple, blue and other tones. Most of the items here were designed during the 20th Century, but you can find examples that were created as recently as the 21st Century and Contemporary. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Christian Dior, and Jean Patou appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Yves Saint Laurent fashion from top boutiques around the world. Yves Saint Laurent fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $171,065, while the average work can sell for $795.
Questions About Yves Saint Laurent
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Fashion designer Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria on August 1, 1936. The family home was located at 11 Rue Stora in the Plateau Saint Michel neighborhood. Yves and his parents lived on the ground floor and his uncle’s family lived above them. The city of Oran is a port city in northwest Algeria. Shop a collection of vintage and new Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent was a well-known fashion designer with a brand that was recognized for a dedication to quality and elegance. He is probably best known for popularizing the idea of women wearing trousers for all occasions, bringing androgenous dressing to the forefront. He was also well-known for his flowy fashions that were less structured than his contemporaries. You’ll find a variety of Saint Laurent products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In Yves Saint Laurent’s childhood, he had a fascination with making intricate paper dolls, which later turned into making dress designs for his mother and sisters. As a teenager, his mother took him to meet with the editor of French Vogue, who was impressed by the young Saint Laurent’s designs. Shop a collection of vintage and new Yves Saint Laurent designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In his earliest years, Yves Saint Laurent was inspired by illustrations from fashion magazines and Christian Bérard. As he officially began to pursue a career in fashion, he was introduced to Christian Dior and definitely gained inspiration from this fashion giant. Throughout his career he was inspired by art and famed artists, the street styles he saw around him, Russian culture and design and the way his mother dressed when he was a child. You’ll find a variety of Saint Laurent products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The luxury brand Yves Saint Laurent is owned today by Kering. The brand name has dropped Yves and is currently known as Saint Laurent. This French brand began in 1962 and was bought by Gucci in 1999, which was owned by PPR. Later PPR changed names to be called Kering, and still owns the Saint Laurent brand. Find vintage and contemporary Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent is known for his approach to elegance and comfort in women’s wear. He is also widely credited for creating the “Le Smoking” tuxedo suit. The Le Smoking tuxedo suit was the first of its kind, a tuxedo suit designed for women. Find a large collection of authentic Yves Saint Laurent from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent’s style has been described as ‘gender-blurring’, with inspiration taken from the streets to help modernize haute-couture. You can find vintage and contemporary Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Since its inception in the early 1960s, the Yves Saint Laurent style has changed and grown with the times. The overarching mood of Saint Laurent styles is gender-blurring and openly embraces the idea of women wearing trousers and other garments that were more associated with past menswear. No matter the garment, the look is always high-end and luxe. You’ll find a large collection of Saint Laurent from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Designer Anthony Vaccarello is Yves Saint Laurent’s creative director and was appointed to the position in April 2016. You can find vintage and contemporary Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent was the original designer for the eponymous label. Today the brand is led by creative director Anthony Vaccarello, who stepped into the position in April of 2016. In between creative directors included Alber Elbaz, Tom Ford, Stefano Pilati and Hedi Slimane. Shop a collection of vintage and new Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024
    Yves Saint Laurent was founded in 1962.

    The revered and groundbreaking French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent established his eponymous luxury house with his partner, Pierre Bergé. In the years prior, beginning in his teens, Saint Laurent had been working for Christian Dior. In 1966, four years after establishing the label, he and Bergé 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 and didn’t retire from designing until 2002.

    Find vintage Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024
    Yes, Yves Saint Laurent was an entrepreneur. The revered and groundbreaking French fashion designer founded his eponymous luxury house with his partner, Pierre Bergé, in 1962. In the years prior, beginning in his teens, Saint Laurent had been working for Christian Dior. In 1966, four years after establishing the label, he and Bergé 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 and didn’t retire from designing until 2002. Find vintage Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The Yves Saint Laurent logo is ‘YSL’, a monogram of the founder’s name. The ‘S’ sits in the middle, linking the ‘Y’ and the ‘L’. You can find vintage and contemporary Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The original Yves Saint Laurent logo is an interlocking monogram designed by graphic designer Adolphe Jean Marie Mouron, who goes by the name Cassandre. In 2012 the brand changed its name, dropping the Yves and also changing the logo. Today’s Saint Laurent logo is a bold Neue Helvetica font “Saint Laurent” with the word “Paris” written beneath in a serif-style font. All letters are in uppercase. You’ll find a variety of Saint Laurent products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent is the name of the French fashion designer who founded the luxury fashion house in 1962. Today, his fashions remain beloved by collectors all around the world. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Yves Saint Laurent garments from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 18, 2024
    Yves Saint Laurent is pronounced “EEV sann law-RAUNNT.” Yves Saint Laurent established his eponymous couture house with Pierre Bergé in 1962. 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. Find vintage Yves Saint Laurent bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The difference between Yves Saint Laurent and Saint Laurent has to do with its branding. While the house of Yves Saint Laurent is still called by that name, Hedi Slimane’s ready-to-wear collection goes by Saint Laurent — but the logo for this collection specifies Saint Laurent Paris. On 1stDibs, you'll find authentic Saint Laurent pieces from trusted sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yves Saint Laurent is made with the utmost quality and high-end materials. You can check for authenticity cards, near perfect stitching and a branded label along the inside to confirm the item is authentic. Find a large collection of authentic Yves Saint Laurent from some of the world’s top reputable boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    One of Yves Saint Laurent's most famous and iconic styles is the "Le Smoking,” originally launched as a black suit for women at a time when women didn’t wear pants in public — and were sometimes kicked out of luxury establishments for wearing them. Many incarnations of “Le Smoking” have hit the shelves in the decades since its debut. Shop a large collection of new and vintage Yves Saint Laurent pieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are a few tell-tale signs you can look for to determine whether your YSL bag is real or fake. Authentic Saint Laurent bags have a serial number tag. Authentic bags will have the tag sewn into the lining around the edges. The serial number is 12 digits separated by a dot. Newer versions of YSL bags will have a serial number that is three letters, followed by 10 digits and they’re separated by a dot. In addition, make sure to thoroughly examine the bag for flaws and imperfections. A true Yves Saint Laurent bag will be flawless. Shop a collection of authentic Saint Laurent purses from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An authentic Yves Saint Laurent scarf should look hand-rolled and hand-stitched. The material should be rolled in towards the logo, and then hand stitched so that the material comes from the back to the front. The pattern should also be completely symmetrical. You’ll find a collection of expertly-vetted Saint Laurent clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The fashion house Yves Saint Laurent was founded in 1962 by Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé in Paris, France. Their mission was to make prêt-à-porter, or ready-to-wear fashion, a reputable trend. In 1966, they opened the first YSL Rive Gauche women’s boutique in Paris, followed soon after by YSL Rive Gauche for men. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of iconic vintage and contemporary Saint Laurent clothing and accessories.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Belgian-born designer Anthony Vaccarello is the creative director at Yves Saint Laurent and is in charge of the fashion house’s womenswear and menswear lines. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Saint Laurent menswear from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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