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.
Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent Gunmetal Wire Wrapped Rock Crystal Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Wonderfully massive and collectible Yves Saint Laurent collar by Robert Goossens of rock crystal mineral wrapped in gunmetal wire cages. Handmade in Paris 1980's, signed YSL. Excelle...
Rock Crystal, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Iconic Jewelled Gold Toned Curb Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage iconic gold toned curb chain necklace embellished with three ruby red crystals. Hook clasp closure. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measurements...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Chunky Gold Tone Curb Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage chunky gold tone curb chain necklace. Adjustable T-bar and heart toggles closure. Embossed YSL Made in France. Cursive YVES SAINT LAURENT signature on th...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Silver Toned Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage silver toned necklace featuring faceted green-blue resin cabochons and ball link chain. Lobster clasp closure. Extension chain. Embossed YSL Made in Fran...
Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Gold Link Chain Necklace with Rhinestone Accent
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1980s design is this gold plate Yves Saint Laurent necklace large link necklace. The central and largest link is 2 inches wide and set with rhinestones. From the center rhin...
Gold Plate
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Pearl & Faux Turquoise Couture Necklace, France 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture 3 Strand Faux Pearl and Faux Pearl Necklace Circa 1980. It is not signed as its couture, which was never signed but attributed to Yves Saint...
Mixed 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
1990's GOOSSENS for YVES SAINT LAURENT Numbered 'CUBIST' Poured Glass Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This numbered Yves Saint Laurent necklace from the 1990's features a bold, cubist-inspired design composed of large rectangular resin panels in deep red, gold, and black, each set in...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Gripoix Gold Mondrian Sapphire Emerald Citrine Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Unisex Arty Mondrian Gripoix Cabochon Sapphire Emerald Citrine Navy Blue Green Yellow Topaz Rectangle Cube Square Geometric Chunky Statement Bib Charm ...
Gold Plate
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Sealife Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage link necklace featuring a sealife design. Gold tone metal hardware. Toggle clasp. Embossed with YVES SAINT LAURENT cursive signature on the clasp heart ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent sautoir necklace by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1985-1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
294 YVES SAINT LAURENT - Ready-to-wear collection circa 1985-1990 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Long necklace featuring seashells in gold-tone metal and glass...
Gilt Metal
SAINT LAURENT Antiqued Silver-Tone Crystal Curb Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
SAINT LAURENT antiqued silver-tone curb chain necklace featuring crystal links on one half. This SAINT LAURENT Paris curb chain necklace embodies the House’s signature blend of mode...
Yves Saint Laurent necklace 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Golden metal articulated necklace with orange resin cabochons. Jewelry from the early 1980s under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent, YSL 1980s Bright Gold Round Curb Link Chain Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Make a bold statement with this striking vintage Yves Saint Laurent choker necklace, a classic piece of statement jewelry showcasing the house's signature Parisian glamour. Crafted i...
Gold Plate
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Baroque Link Blue Rhinestones Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Baroque Link Blue Rhinestones Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Baroque style link necklace with blue rhinestone embellishment...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Omega Interlocked Square Curb Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Unisex Arty Glow Square Charm Openwork Interlocked Omega Curb Link Chain Chunky Choker Collar Elegant Modernist Necklace, Gold Plated Very excel...
Gold Plate
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
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...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Amber Resin Nugget Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage necklace featuring irregular shaped amber color resin cabochons and textured oval nuggets in a gold tone setting. Toggle clasp. Adjustable length. Emboss...
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
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Gold Sun Choker Necklace, Circa 1980s
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Vintage YSL Dangling Gold Sun on Choker. Opening is 2" Sun is 2" x 2". This is a truly special piece, perfectly capturing the essence of YSL. ...
Mixed Metal
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
1980's YVES SAINT LAURENT brass textured link necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Vintage, chunky oversized gilt brass link necklace from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1990's. Necklace measures approximately 17.5" to 18" long. Each link measures about 1.5" acro...
1990's YVES SAINT LAURENT gilt rose necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Vintage Saint Laurent gold-tone necklace featuring a series of sculpted rose motifs linked together on a textured chain. The design has a bold yet romantic feel, with the signature S...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Two Tone Hexagon Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Two Tone Hexagon Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.69 inches (4.3 cm) Wearable Length: 15.75 inches to 16.73 inches (40 cm to 42.5 cm) Features: - 100...
YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Robert Goossens Ebony Wood Textured Gilt Disc Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl by Robert Goossens Ebony Wood Textured Gilt Disc Choker Necklace Features: - 100% authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT by Robert Goossens. - Articulated ebony...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Opulent Gold Tone Crumpled Discs Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage opulent antiqued gold tone disc links and drops with the central drop embossed YVES SAINT LAURENT in cursive signature. Adjustable lobster spring closure....
Gilt Metal
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Zigzag Blue Rhinestone Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Zigzag Blue Rhinestone Necklace Features: - 100% Authentic YVES SAINT LAURENT. - Zigzag choker with blue rhinestones embellishment. - Silver tone hard...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Enamel Floral Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage floral pendant embellished with red enamel, acqua blue glass cabochons and sapphire colour crystal. Embossed YSL. Ma...
Gilt Metal
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Jewelled Oriental Design Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone oriental design link necklace embellished with clear crystals. Adjustable spring clasp closure. Embossed YSL Made in France. Indicative measur...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Heart Star Classic Logo Charms Long Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Wokingham, England
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage 1980s Unisex Long Classic Glow Logo Heart Star Charm Elegant Modernist Necklace, Gold Plated Very excellent condition. Maybe light scratches or colour...
Gold Plate
Yves Saint Laurent "Limited Edition" Magnificent "Multi Leaves" Crystal Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Yves Saint Laurent Magnificent "Show Stopping Entrance Maker", "Limited Edition", numbered 65/900 "Multi Leaves" crystal necklace. The curved necklace, when worn, measures 18 inches ...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Vintage Gold Tone Heart Disc Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold tone necklace featuring textured creased discs, each with heart at the center. Adjustable T-bar and toggle...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Limited Edition Textured Disc Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage rare limited edition necklace featuring gold toned textured articulated discs in a gun patina setting. Lobster clasp closure. Signed YVES SAINT LAURENT 2...
Yves Saint Laurent Runway Chunky Gold Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This is a bold yet beautiful runway piece from Yves Saint Laurent. Taken straight from the 80's, it is featured in a gold tone with 9 chunky links that sit close to the neck and a ho...
Gold
Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Star Plexiglas Plastron Breastplate Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Star Plexiglas Plastron Breastplate Necklace Measurements: Height: 5.51 inches (14 cm) Wearable Length: 17.12 inches (...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Patinated Brass Long Link Necklace 1970's
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in North Miami, FL
This ever chic and ever fashionable vintage French signed Yves Saint Laurent long chain / link necklace is a forever piece. It is heavy and made out of brass that has been patinated ...
Brass
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Iconic Leopard Pyramid Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned necklace featuring raised pyramids with iconic leopard print resin. Hook closure. Adjustable length (extension chain). Embossed YSL. Made in F...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Rive Gauche Vintage Faux Stones Cross Pendant Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT RIVE GAUCHE vintage resin cross pendant necklace featuring irregular multicolored resin faux stones alterning with textured gold toned beads. T-bar and toggle clo...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Textured Nugget Oval Swirl Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned necklace featuring links of textured nugget with swirl detailing. Adjustable lobster closure. Embossed YSL. Made in France. Indicative measur...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Toned Fish Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned necklace featuring fish links. Embossed YSL Made in France. Numbered E0. Indicative measurements : adjustable length from approx. 46 cm (18.11...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ruby Square Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Ruby Square Necklace Measurements: Height: 6/8 inch X 7/8 inch Wearable Length: 16 inches One Size Fits All Featu...
Yves Saint Laurent Whimsical Gilded Gold Hardware "Dangling Open Heart" On Chain
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Rare Yves Saint Laurent "Limited Edition" Whimsical gilded polished gold hardware "Dangling Open Heart" hangs on a polished gold hardware chain-link necklace. The necklace itself mea...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Toned Textured Circle Links Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned necklace chunky textured circle links. T bar and toggle closure. Adjustable length. Embossed YVES SAINT LAURENT cursive signature on the toggl...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gold Toned Zig Zag Crystal Heart Pendant Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gold toned articulated zig zag design necklace embellished with red and purple crystals, featuring a purple heart shaped crystal pendant. T-bar and heart ...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Gun Patina Ruby Necklace Earring Set
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage gun patina chain link necklace and clip-on earring set embellished with ruby crystals. Embossed YSL Made in France. NECKLACE ...
Yves Saint Laurent belt/necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Brown trimming belt/necklace with resin and beaten golden metal. A Collection under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Condition: Very good condition...
Yves Saint Laurent necklace with rhinestones
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Short golden metal necklace with colorful rhinestones. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 42 cm SKU:BC147
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent heart necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Golden metal articulated necklace centered with a heart. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: from 47 cm to 52 cm SKU:BC202
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Byzantine Black Cabochon Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Byzantine Black Cabochon Link Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.69 inches (4.3 cm) Wearable Length: 18.89 inches to 20.86...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Blue Crystals Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage necklace featuring sapphire blue crystals in a gold toned setting. T-bar closure. Adjustable length. Embossed YVES SAINT LAURENT on the love clasps. Made...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Arabesque Jewelled Enamel Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Arabesque Jewelled Enamel Necklace Measurements: Height: 2.75 inches (7 cm) Wearable Length: 15.94 inches, 16.92 inches, ...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Disc Lariat Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Disc Lariat Necklace Measurements: Height: 4 6/8 inches (center piece) Discs: 6/8 inch X 6/8 inch Wearable Length: 17 inc...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Chunky Torsade Link Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Chunky Torsade Link Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.10 inches (2.8 cm) Wearable Length : 16.34 inches to 18.30 inches (41.5 cm to 46.5 cm) adjustable Fe...
Vintage Iconic YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Leopard Pyramid Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Iconic YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Leopard Pyramid Necklace Measurements: Height: 0.94 inch (2.4 cm) Wearable Length: 12.60 inches (32 cm) to 14.56 inc...
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Rhinestone Bow Leaf Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Rhinestone Bow Leaf Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.53 inches (3.9 cm) Wearable Length: 15.15 inches (38.5 cm) Feature...
Yves Saint Laurent necklace ears of wheat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - (Made in France) Dark-silvery metal articulated necklace representing ears of wheat with orange resin. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: from ...
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Amber Ruby Cabochon Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Amber Ruby Cabochon Necklace Measurements: Height: 5/8 inch Wearable Length: 14 4/8 inches until 16 4/8 inches Feature...
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL "Chyc" Agate and Nugget Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL "Chyc" Agate and Nugget Necklace Measurements: Height: 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) Adjustable Length: 30.31 inches to 32 inches (77 cm to 81.5 cm) Total Length: 33....
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Intricate Medallion Necklace
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT Ysl Intricate Medallion Necklace Measurements: Centerpiece Height: 2 3/8 inches (6 cm) Centerpiece Width: 1 3/8 inches (3.49 cm) Wearable Length: 16 4/8 i...