This extraordinarily detailed dress was designed by Yves Saint Laurent for the 1990 Fall / Winter collection. Tailored from inky black silk velvet, it features voluminous silk bell-sleeves which button at the cuff with a playful high-shine gold-tone button made of two conjoined spheres. The skirt is tailored from coordinating black silk and softly pleated, falling to the ankle. The embellishment is exquisite; the bodice is adorned at the front and back with stripes of metallic gold and black braid in alternating patterns that zig-zag and swirl as they fall down the body. The bust has a corset-like appearance with its curved neckline and stiff embellishment which causes it to hold its shape and cinch the body. It is detailed down the front with the same gold buttons as the cuffs, which also trim the neckline. They close through black fabric loops to secure the front of the dress. These high-octane buttons also hang from the bottom of the bodice, swaying as the wearer moves. The whole dress is lined with black silk. The label reads “Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche”, a reference to Paris’s younger and trendier left bank.
This piece is in excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note - it would make an exceptional addition to any collector of Yves Saint Laurent. Made in France, it is made from 100% silk, labelled a French size 42 and the fabric has no stretch. We believe this would best fit sizes up to a UK 10-12, US 6-8 and smaller sizes.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 38 in. (97 cm)
WAIST - 30 in. (76 cm)
HIP - 70 in. (178 cm)
LENGTH - 57.5 in. (146 cm)