#2822 $3,950
Yves Saint Laurent numbered couture evening pantsuit, 1970s
Until his retirement in 2002, Yves Saint Laurent stood at the pinnacle of French haute couture. The gifted artist, who described himself as "the last of the couture mohicans," left a void in the fashion world. The end of his career signaled the end of couture as it was known in its heyday.
Numbered couture from Yves Saint Laurent was already rare when it was created for a handful of customers. Now that no more will ever be produced, it is even more eagerly sought by collectors. For additional information on the career and achievements of the master couturier, please see the Saint Laurent evening gown also listed.
The ensemble is fashioned from heavy beige pebbled satin. The marvelous drape of such a substantial-weight fabric can be found only in couture. Totally covered with opaque ivory sequins, the tunic is finished at the neckline, wrists, and hem with padded self binding. This sleek evening suit is a timeless classic. It has the serene self-confidence seen only in the most polished and luxurious circles, where the most exquisite taste is taken for granted.
The torso is lined with lightweight beige satin; the sleeves are lined with matching silk chiffon. The tunic closes in back with a narrow metal zipper, while the sleeves have short metal zippers at the wrists. The wide leg pants are unlined and close in front with a metal zipper. All the finishing is done by hand, of course.
Saint Laurent's devotion to the beauty of women found fluent expression not only in couture but also in the theater and cinema. In film his costumes for the world's most beautiful women took center stage: Sophia Loren in Arabesque, Claudia Cardinale in the The Pink Panther, and Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour. Saint Laurent's entire opus is a testament to his credo: "Clothes must be at the service of women."
From 1962-2002, the Yves Saint Laurent label was the most coveted in haute couture, available to about 25 women worldwide who could afford the unparalleled quality of his haute couture pieces. This numbered couture evening gown is one of those pieces. For insight into the pricing of high end vintage clothing vs. comparable new designer clothing, especially with regard to haute couture, please see my new article on The Vintage Advantage.
The condition is excellent.
The tunic measures: 38" bust, 31" waist, 40" hip, 16" from shoulder seam
to shoulder seam, 23" sleeve length, and 28" from the shoulder to the hem.
The pants measure: 27" waist, 39" hip, and 42 1/2" from the waist to the hem.
