This is from the fall 1970 Rive Gauche collection and is very early example of his ready-to-wear. It also has a bit of infamy because it's twin was a photoed on Catherine Deneuve for Vogue that season. That photo of her has become one of her most iconic. It is also found in many books on his work and on her and I have included one here. In our hunt for documentation on this piece we also found two other editorial photos where it was used showing its importance as a piece of that season. This silhouette went on to be one that he repeated in many future collections. I love it's nod to bygone eras but at the same time it still feels thoroughly from the seventies. Pieces very first collection of a decade are always extra interesting to me. They're either one that you never see again or they become an integral direction for that decade.

The coat been worn and loved but it's still in fantastic condition. It's made from a velvet that has ribbing so it almost feels like an ultra ultra fine corduroy. The pile is flat but very soft. This fabric choice let him keep the lines and shape of the coat. It has a very great coat feel to it but with Victorian inspired mutton sleeves and that fantastic fit that Yves excelled at. The front does up with a double row of hand carved buttons. The collar above that is exaggerated. Collars would get bigger later in this decade but at the time even this would have been startling and edgy. It is fitted through the bodice and seamed at the waist. Under that the skirt of the coat flares out dramatically. Pockets are hidden along each hip as you can see in the photo of Catherine. The sleeves are incredible. They are set and gathered high into the top of the shoulder for a slight capped feel. They pouf out dramatically under that to about the elbow and then are slim cut to the wrist from there. It is currently gorgeous and I love it. It is also a remarkable piece of fashion history. Excellent overall condition with a note below

Fully lined in a copper coloured silk. It closes with the buttons at the front. Tagged a 36. There is some wear to the velvet under the buttons and on the slimmer part of the sleeve where someone would've pushed the sleeves up. It's very minor. There's a small spot on the front of the coat and I photoed that for you. Some tiny areas on the back where the fabric has worn through along the hem. I photoed one but they do go across most of the back bottom of the coat. They make no impact when it's on. I see a tiny area of the start of thinning to the fabric on one sleeve. This is still infinitely wearable and such an important piece of fashion history the small flaws don't really deter

Sleeves: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13.5"
Bust: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 37" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# C609

Reference Photos: (1) Model in Yves Saint Laurent, January 1970.  /  (2) Catherine Deneuve in Yves Saint Laurent, October 1970.  /  (3) Model in Yves Saint Laurent, 1970.  /  (4) From the book "Saint Laurent Rive Gauche: Fashion Revolution".

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.