The twin of this dress was used for the 1992 ad campaign shot by Helmut Newton that featured the beautiful Karen Mulder. It was also featured in Vogue that season on the equally stunning Beverly Peele. What’s interesting about the Vogue piece is that it tells us that the original retail price of the dress was $1695, the equivalent of $3009 USD in today's dollars. Pricey then, pricey now, but a bargain as a pristine and collectable vintage piece. This was one of the iconic pieces of that season and I am very pleased to have found this example.

The dress is made from a soft silk that has a slight texture to it. It has just enough weight and drape to it to perfectly fall once on the body, skimming over your curves in a chic and simple line. The dress perfectly represents this time period and you can see the transition from the stronger, more angular shaped of the eighties slowly moving into simpler shapes for the 1990s while still retaining the emphasis on the shoulders that the eighties had. That touch of excess from the 1980s is still there, but the shape is softening. The neckline is scooped and set wide so that you get a glimpse of collar bone. Vertical seaming runs down the front on either side so that is has some shape but there is no break in the line that a waist seam would have made. The skirt is slim and straight. The sleeves are the star of the show and each has an elastic at it end and lots of gathered fabric above that that gives it the volume you see on the dress form and the two reference photos provided.  It is amazing on the body and a rare find. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk through the body and a silk chiffon through the sleeves. It closes with a side set zipper. Elastic at the end of each sleeve. Tagged a vintage YSL 40 and has a generous cut  through the waist and bust

Sleeves: 10"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3290

Reference Photos: (1) Karen Mulder for Yves Saint Laurent, Spring 1992. Photo by Helmut Newton.  /  (2) Vogue US, March 1992.

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