FW 1984–1985 Haute Couture Black Velvet Bustier Dress

Yves Saint Laurent
FW 1984–1985
Haute Couture Black Velvet Bustier Dress

An exceptional Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture evening dress from the Fall/Winter 1984–1985 collection, crafted in deep black velvet with a sculptural strapless bustier neckline and a dramatic satin-trimmed wrap construction.
The silhouette is sharply feminine: close to the body through the bust, waist and hips, with a curved diagonal line sweeping from the neckline down the front of the dress.
This shorter version is the proportion shown on the runway, giving the piece a particularly strong archival relevance.

A closely related longer version of the same design is held in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art - MET, confirming its importance.
The runway styling emphasized the graphic power of the dress: black velvet, contrasting satin edging, and a highly theatrical strapless evening silhouette.

The white interior label is particularly significant. Unlike Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche ready-to-wear labels, this tag reads “Yves Saint Laurent – Patron Original – Paris”, with “Made in France” woven at the side. “Patron Original” refers to an original couture pattern from the house, indicating a garment produced in the Yves Saint Laurent ateliers rather than a standard commercial ready-to-wear piece.
Haute Couture garments of this type were made in Paris to the measurements of the original client, which explains the absence of a conventional ready-to-wear size label and the highly precise internal construction.

Great overall condition

DETAILS

Yves Saint Laurent

Fall/Winter 1984–1985
Haute Couture

Black velvet bustier evening dress

Fits size 34 / XS

Strapless sweetheart neckline

Contrasting satin trim

Curved wrap-effect front construction

Side zips

Made in France

Made in Yves Saint Laurent’s couture ateliers to the measurements of the original buyer

Closely related longer version held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art collection

Featured on the runway

MEASUREMENTS

Armpits: 39 cm / 15.5 in

Waist: 34 cm / 13.5 in

Hips: 42 cm / 16.5 in

Back length: 68 cm / 26.75 in

Shipped from France