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 YSL Arty Large Foil Lapis Navy Cabochon Cocktail Ring, US 5
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Vintage Unisex Large Lapis Navy Blue Foil Cabochon Cocktail Chunky Statement Ring, US 5, Gold Tone Very good condition. Very light scratches on stone, ve...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Sunburst Ruby Crystal Flower Blossom Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Ruby Red Circle Round Crystal Blossom Flourish Flower Sunburst Elegant Modernist Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Very light scratches or...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Rare Arty Red Ruby Oval Cabochon Statement Ring
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Red Ruby Cabochon Stone Statement Chunky Modernist Ring, Size 6, Silver Black Tone Very good condition. Vintage. Very light scratches or colour l...
Silver Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Rare Gold Green Heart Amethyst Cube Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Dark Green Enamel Heart Amethyst Purple Diamond Cube Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Vintage and very rare to find. 100% Genui...
Gold Plate
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Two Tone Cabochon Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage antiqued silver tone oval and round links embellished with irregular shaped gilt metal cabochon. Adjustable S hook closure. Embossed YSL Made in France. ...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Gold-Tone Jewelled Heart Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold-tone necklace embellished with clear crystals and featuring a heart as centrepiece. This necklace, with its radiant crystal composition and heart‑sha...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Gold Tone Multi-Strand Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT by ROBERT GOOSSENS vintage gold tone multi-strand chain necklace featuring a rock-crystal shape design clasp. Hook clasp closure. Embossed YSL Made in France. I...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent pendant necklace by Yves Saint Laurent, 1983
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Ready-to-Wear Collection 1983 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Maison Caillol workshop. "Butterfly" pendant in antiqued silver-plated metal w...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Chunky Curb Chain Choker Necklace, Fall 2011
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT chunky curb chain choker necklace made of gun‑patina links and bi‑colored resin links. As seen on the YVES SAINT LAURENT Fall 2011 runway. Gorgeous massive box‑c...
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent Emerald Sapphire Stone Pearl Victorian Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YSL Yves Saint Laurent Emerald Sapphire Stone Pearl Victorian Necklace Measurements: Pendant Hei...
Yves Saint Laurent Cassandre YSL Silver Tone & Gold Pink Cuff Links and Tie Clip
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Cassandre Silver-tone & gold-pink cuff-links and tie clip logo link set featuring a rectangular shape, a black pitted “YSL” Cassandre logo, a gold-pink outlin...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Heart Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone heart brooch embellished with multicolor crystals. Embossed YSL and E2. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 4.5 cm (1.77 inches) / ma...
Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gold Tone Red Orange Resin Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a gold tone link necklace designed by YSL in 1980’s. The piece is gold plated and features red-orange faceted resin. There is a fitting bracelet from the same collection in...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Ornate Pearl Drop Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Ornate Pearl Drop Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT by Robert Goossens. - Pearl drop/ dangling earrings encage...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Gold Tone Chain Logo Charm Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT gold tone chain necklace featuring textured oval links, YSL logo charm and coin charm embossed YVES SAINT LAURENT. T-bar closure. Adjustable length. Embossed YVE...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Openwork Heart Tangled Wirework Cufflinks
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Robert Goossens 1980s Arty Vintage Heart Love Wirework Tangled Openwork Cufflinks, Gold Plated Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Book piece. Signed at ...
Stainless Steel, Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent 2005s Broche Pins YSL Silver Metal Crystal Gun Brooch Pin
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in PARIS, FR
Yves Saint Laurent brooch pins circa 2004 in silver metal with a pistol motif encrusted with white rhinestones. Width 3.5 cm x height 2.15 cm. The slightly yellow traces on the photo...
Early Yves Saint Laurent Maltese Cross Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Large and early Yves Saint Laurent silver gilt metal Maltese Cross pendant necklace with faux round pearl cabochons further set with faceted cut square crystal pastes in faux ruby, a...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Oversized Fan Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT oversized vintage fan shaped gold tone dangling earrings (clip-on) embellished with a blue glass cabochon. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements :...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Lava Gold Crystals Nugget Stones Link Chunky Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Robert Goossens Arty Gripoix Unisex Abnormal Nugget Lava Stones Oval Round Circle Crystals Link Chunky Modernist Choker Collar Necklace, Gold Plated V...
Gold Plate
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Gold & Crystal Maltese Cross Pendant Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
These stunning vintage YSL (Yves Saint Laurent) pierced earrings feature a unique design characterized by a bold Maltese cross shape, elegantly crafted from gold-tone metal. The earr...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Gold Pink Clear Soft Statement Chunky Ring Size 6
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Clear Pink Statement Chunky Cocktail Ring, Size 6, Gold Plated Very excellent condition. Maybe very light scratches, barely noticeable. Vintage. ...
Gold Plate
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Robert Goossens Blue Rhinestone Flower Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Robert Goossens Blue Rhinestone Flower Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT by Robert Goossens. - Huge faceted blue resin with rhine...
Yves Saint Laurent heart earrings by Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Fall-Winte
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1992-1993 Fall-Winter Haute Couture Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal heart-shaped clip-on earrings with green resin. ...
Gilt Metal
YSL Dramatic Shell Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic YSL earrings in deep gunmetal finish with pâté de verre cabochons in peridot and olivine tones which are mirror backed. 4.75" x 1.75". 1990's Fra...
Yves Saint Laurent by Roger Scemama Documented Vintage Massive Flower Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT by ROGER SCEMAMA vintage massive flower pendant featuring marbled faux stones (deep red/plum/amber - difficult to say) resin cabochons. Similar pendant worn by Fr...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent earrings circa 1980 by Yves Saint Laurent
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal hanging clip-on earrings with frieze of matching pearls d...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent 'heart' pendant brooch by Robert Goossens Winter 1992-1993
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - 1992-1993 Fall-Winter ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent and Robert Goossens. Heart brooch pendant made of pattern-wele...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Rectangle Numbered Chunky Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1985 Unisex Haute Couture Massive Irregular Hammered Rectangle Numbered Chunky Statement Link Modernist Elegant Necklace, Gold Plated Good condition. ...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Robert Goossens Shell Coral Branch White Crystals Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Robert Goossens Iconic Classic White Coquillage Shell Coral Crystals Branch Elegant Modernist Brooch, Gold Plated Very good condition. Not sure if it is a sma...
Gold Plate
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL by TOM FORD Lucite Crystal Rigid Choker Necklace, 2003
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT by TOM FORD lucite crystal rigid choker necklace from the Fall/Winter 2003 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Similar version, in brown colour, worn by super model EVA HE...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Massive Diamante Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive gold tone diamante brooch. Marked YSL Made in France. JEWELRY CONDITION CHART - New or never worn : item is in pristine condition with no noticea...
Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Gold with Rhinestone Large Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1980s design is this gold plate Yves Saint Laurent link necklace. The links are inches high and set with rhinestones. From the center rhinestone link, each link is 1.5" lo...
Gold Plate
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Runway Statement Drop Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Make a breathtaking statement with this authentic vintage Yves Saint Laurent runway drop necklace. Made in France, this piece embodies the bold, dramatic glamour and artistic color c...
Crystal, Pearl, Base Metal
Saint Laurent earrings by Yves Saint Laurent x Roger Scemama
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Ready-to-wear collection circa 1970 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent, by the Roger Scemama atelier. Pair of "Dove" ear clips in black lacquere...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Massive Flower Glass Cabochon Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage massive gold tone flower clip-on earrings embellished with multicolored glass cabochons. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : diameter ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Deep Red Pate de Verre Earrings 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wilmslow, GB
Vintage YSL pate de verre Earrings. Crafted in gold plated metal and set with stunning pate de verre or poured glass in a rich deep red jewel colour....
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Dangling Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned dangling earrings (clip on) embellished with multicolor crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : height approx. 10 cm ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Robert Goossens Cabochon Nugget Link Bracelet
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Robert Goossens Cabochon Nugget Link Bracelet Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT by Robert Goossens. - Irregular shaped poured resin in amb...
Yves Saint Laurent Gold & Cream Bib Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional statement piece of wearable art, this vintage Yves Saint Laurent bib necklace perfectly captures the opulent, sculptural drama of the house’s iconic 1970s and 1980s co...
Base Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rope Tassel Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT black rope tassel necklace featuring five chunky black marbled resin pebbles. Embossed YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche. Made in France. Indicative measurements : ...
Yves Saint Laurent necklace by Robert Goossens, 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Circa 1980 Collection, crafted by the Robert Goossens workshop. Short gold-tone metal necklace featuring seashells. Made in France. Condition: Very good Dime...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Couture Brooch/Pendant, Crystal, Made in France, 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Spectacular and exceptionally rare vintage couture brooch by Yves Saint Laurent, dating to the late 1980s/early 1991s - an era celebrated for the house's lavish and theatrical costume jewelry creations. Executed in a dramatic architectural cross-inspired design, this monumental piece is richly embellished with an extraordinary arrangement of faceted crystals in smoky sapphire...
Crystal, Gilt Metal
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Tortoiseshell Resin Accents Lariat Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Tortoiseshell Resin Accents Lariat Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Snake chain lariat necklace with 3 deep burgundy and blac...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Massive Orange Glass Cabochon Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche vintage massive clip‑on earrings featuring a luminous orange domed glass cabochon framed by a twisted gold‑tone bezel, accented with a marbled, patinat...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Multicolored Resin Cabochons Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone necklace featuring round and oval multicolored (blue, purple, green) resin cabochons. T bar and heart toggle closure. Adjustable length. Embossed YSL Made in France. Cursive signature YVES SAINT LAURENT embossed...
Gilt Metal
Early Yves Saint Laurent Passementerie Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Rare Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Necklace Spring Summer 1966. Of nautical inspiration composed of white cotton rope with blue silk and rayon passementerie detail. Focal long tas...
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Blue Resin Clip-On Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone clip-on earrings embellished with a blue resin cabochon. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements : max. height approx. 4.5 cm (1.7...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Passementerie Necklace SS 1977
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Passementerie Necklace , Haute Couture Spring Summer 1977 Spanish Collection. Composed of large and small silk sateen white and black beads and bright shocking pi...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Large Gold Double Layer Dogwood Flower Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Unisex Large Textured Hammered Dogwood Flower Double Layer Modernist Elegant Chunky Statement Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. ...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL 1990 Logo Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, FR
1990s Yves Saint Laurent gold-tone logo brooch featuring a decorative YSL, a back safety pin. Length: 1.18in. (3cm) Width: 0.39in (1cm) In good vintage condition Made in France. ...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Pentagon Geometric Red Black Enamel Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Pentagon Geometric Red Black Enamel Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Pentagon shape red and black enamel earrings. - Signed Y...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Rare Turquoise Heart Crystals Pearl Chunky Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL by Robert Goossens Haute Couture Vintage 1980s Massive Large Turquoise Green Blue Marquise Crystals Openwork Heart Love White Pearl Water Tear Drop Dangle Eleg...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Gold Green Blue Maltese Cross Thistle Pendant Brooch
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Ripple Lake Green Blue Enamel Maltese Cross Thistle Pineapple Flower Elegant Modernist Chunky Brooch Pendant, Gold Tone Very excellent condition,...
Gold Plate
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Pebbled Textured Wide Cuff Bracelet
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Pebbled Textured Wide Cuff Bracelet Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Pebble textured wide cuff bracelet. - Gold tone hardware. - Signe...
Vintage YSL Heart Crystal Brights Brooch 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A striking and vibrant Vintage YSL Heart Crystal Brights Brooch from the 1980s. Founded in 1961 after his tenure at Dior, Yves Saint Laurent built a...
Saint Laurent 'turtle' brooch by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1980
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1980 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Golden metal turtle brooch ornamented with a costume pearl. Made in F...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent 1980's Round Quilt Link Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful 1980's example of Yves Saint Laurent bijoux. The necklace is comprised of 9 round and 10 oval connector links in the front and all done with a cast quilt design. These fr...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Rare Arty Silver Cluster Swirl Flower Relief Cuff
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Arty Vintage Cluster Swirl Flower Relief Modernist Elegant Bangle Cuff Bracelet, Silver Tone Very good condition. Vintage Rare to find. 100% genuine. Come w...
Silver Plate
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Large Wheat Shell Domed Chunky Earrings
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Arty Unisex Textured Large Wheat Shell Round Hoop Domed Chunky Statement Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Vintage an...
Gold Plate