This beautiful dress by Yves Saint Laurent mixes a solid black velvet with a sheer black silk chiffon. It provides head to toe coverage but the sheerness and placement of the silk chiffon give it that twist of sensuality that runs through Yves' pieces. The mix of the fabrics also serves to highlight the lines of the dress and shape of the woman who wears it. The body of the dress, including the long fitted sleeves, is done in a soft, inky black velvet. The neckline is scooped at both the front and the back to offset the coverage everywhere else. It curves in at the waist and is seamed there so on the body the effect is even more brought in then how it appears on the dress form. The velvet then continues over the top of the hips and is cut to be fitted. This gives it a corseted, hourglass effect. Where the velvet and silk chiffon of the lower skirt meet is a wide 3.25" wide silk satin ribbon that again brings the shape in to follow the curves of the body. A bow details one side. Under that, the skirt falls to the floor in a generous sweep of fabric. It widens as it nears the floor with panels set horizontally to give it volume. As with many of Yves' pieces, showing them on a dress form really does it little justice. This is cut to work on a real girl's figure and is so much better on the body. There are parts of the skirt that are not perfect - please be sure to read the full condition notes below and review all provided photos. It is completely wearable as it is and is priced better then it would be if perfect. Excellent overall condition with notes regarding the skirt below.

The bodice is lined in a black hand set silk satin and the lower skirt is unlined. It closes with a back metal and nylon zipper. Each sleeve has a zipper at its cuff. Tagged a vintage YSL 38. There are three repairs to the skirt, all near the hem as well as some other small areas of thinning. I photoed each, and one shot also includes the largest area of thinning that is present. The three photos showing the flawed areas are shown after the label photo. The hem of the skirt does has a finishing stitched seam but is not turned up. It is very long so you could easily hem to the desired length if needed. When on the repairs are lost in the fold of the skirt so you do not notice them

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: approx 15"
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" across lowest seam at very top of hips, open under that
Bodice: 15" from shoulder to waist, 20 from waist seam to lowest seam of the ribbon under the hips
Skirt: 49" from waist seam to hem including the 29"velvet portion under the waist seam and to the bottom of the ribbon under the hips

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3192

Reference Photo: Fall 1987 Yves Saint Laurent Look Book.

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