Autumn Winter 1967 Collection

Paris

Evening dress by Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture (attributed to) dating from the famous Autumn Winter 1967 collection. Long jewellery dress with chasuble cut, crew neck, short sleeves and zip at the back. Powder pink embossed silk satin with wave effect by Maison Abraham. Embroidered with rhinestones, glass beads and mother-of-pearl beads, in sunbursts from neck to shoulders and in shading to the waist. Original hand-sewn pink French zip. The original lining is also in pink silk taffeta, revealing a claw mark the size of that of Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture (see last photo). It is attributed to a similar model entitled Fastes du Soir, Yves Saint Laurent which appeared in L'Officiel, Winter 1967, modelled by Kecia Nyman, and this dematerialised visual will be passed on to the buyer. The cut and finish are definitely Haute Couture with lots of hand finishing. No soiling or holes. There is very slight discolouration under the gussets, only visible on the inner lining, and a few very rare pearls are missing. No other defects to note, the whole is in good structural condition. The condition is good to very good.

Dimensions: Equivalent to size 36 France. Shoulders 39 cm, chest 88 cm, waist 76 cm, sleeves 16 cm, hips 87 cm, height 128 cm.

This model was catalogued and exhibited in France at two exhibitions devoted to Yves Saint Laurent in 2022 and 2023.

This jewellery dress is remarkable for the purity of its forms and the richness of its embroidery. It is designed to give an impression of both simplicity and majesty. To elongate the silhouette, Yves Saint Laurent designed the dress with an empire waist and a long, slightly flared skirt. The rigidity of the fabric, by Abraham, enabled the designer to translate the strength and simplicity of the designer's line into a result of great architectural rigour, reminiscent of Balenciaga's work. Yves Saint Laurent took the opposite tack, with the same sunny effect, in the Africaine collection he presented the same year.