1976 Runway Yves Saint Laurent Black Silk Gold Brocade Skirt Suit

This mesmerising two-piece ensemble was created by Yves Saint Laurent for the brand’s beloved Fall 1976 collection and for his Rive Gauche label, a reference to Paris’s younger and trendier left bank. The ready to wear collection echoed the haute couture line which was titled “Opéras - Ballets Russes”. The New York Times described it as “A revolutionary collection that will change the course of fashion in the world.” Yves Saint Laurent named creating this show as his most beautiful memory in 30 years of designing, saying “Perhaps it wasn't the most successful one, but it was wonderfully received at a time when the world condemned opulence. And it was opulent.”

Tailored from a lustrous gold and black, sheer silk-brocade, it is detailed with elaborate baroque and botanical forms which glimmer as they catch the light. The sheer blouse top features wide, voluminous bell-sleeves. It has a graceful wide-neckline which is trimmed with a braid woven from strands of metallic wire - this adds weight to the neckline and means it holds its shape. The front is detailed with a keyhole cut-out which closes with a button detailed with a spiral of the same metallic wire braid. The skirt is tailored from coordinating fabric to a high waist fit with a wide, fitted band that hugs the hips. Below the hips, it falls in soft pleats to the floor. It fastens with a hidden tonal zip on the hip. Like the blouse, the skirt is sheer and would be perfect with a black slip or just underwear if you dare.

In 2015, the FIT Museum of NYC exhibited this ensemble titled "Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s".  The blouse was also featured in the runway show paired with velvet separates. Both pieces are in excellent archival vintage condition with the following to note: there are some professionally executed repairs around the bottom edge of the skirt, these have been very well done and cannot be noticed when the skirt is being worn, only when held up to the light. This ensemble would make an exceptional addition to the archive of any collector of Yves Saint Laurent. Made in France, the fabric is crafted from 74% Silk, 26% Polyester.  Labelled a French size 38 which is a UK 10; however, the waist on the skirt is small and this ensemble is better suited to US size 4 or UK 8. The fabric has no stretch. 

MEASUREMENTS TOP

BUST - 40 in. (102 cm)

WAIST - 42 in. (107 cm)

HIP - 42 in. (107 cm)

LENGTH - 23 in. (58 cm)

MEASUREMENTS SKIRT

WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)

HIP - 40 in. (102 cm)

LENGTH - 44 in. (112 cm)