1986 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Black Velvet and Jacquard Dress

This black evening dress was commissioned by a special client from Yves Saint Laurent’s 1986 haute couture runway collection. The fabric is a shimmering black moiré jacquard silk woven with tonal motifs of bows and swirling ribbons that appear to ripple as they catch the light. The romantic bodice is crafted from velvet and boned the whole way around to cinch the waist and support the bust. The sleeves have puff shoulders and are cut slim at the wrist, creating an exaggerated silhouette that epitomised 1980s evening wear. The cuffs have hidden tonal zips to allow for ease of access. The jacquard skirt is theatrical and voluminous, falling from high on the waist at the front and curving round to sit lower on the back. A wide rimmed ruffle flounce falls from halfway down the skirt. This dress is lined at the bust in black silk and silk tulle.

A strapless version of this gown walked the runway in the 1986 show, and we believe this dress was an adapted couture-made piece for one of the House’s prestigious clients. It has the addition of a beautiful leather-backed velvet belt that allows for a more cinched silhouette and is separate from the dress. It is embossed with intricate botanical forms, roses and vines and is secured with hook-and-eye clasps with the option of three different lengths. The label reads “Yves Saint Laurent” and is numbered with “60908”.

This piece is in excellent archival vintage condition with no flaws of any note. It would make an exceptional addition to any collector of Yves Saint Laurent and is perfect for a high-profile black-tie event. It has no composition or size labels, so please check our measurements below carefully. The fabric has no stretch. We estimate a good fit for sizes up to a UK 8-10 or US 4-6.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 30 in. (76 cm)

WAIST - 28 in. (71 cm)

HIP - 70 in. (178 cm)

LENGTH - 64 in. (163 cm)