The twin of this dress walk the runway in 2003 as look 43 of the show. For this show Ford dipped into the archives and looked at Saint Laurent's early years. The show centered around three colours, a pale lavender, champagne and coffee. This was one of the closing looks at the show and I think it was best of the final four looks. It is a look that is extremely flattering to the ware with all of its gathers that fall softly over the body will hiding all flaws. Tom was only at YSL from 1999 while designing for Gucci at the same time, until 2004 when he left to open his own label. This makes this a dress from one of a small number of collections where he was at the helm of this label.

This dress was sold in two lengths, a shorter version and then this longer one true to the runway. The longer ones were a more limited production. The dress is stunning. And not only is it stunning but it's a very tactile feeling dress once on the body. It is made from that ultra soft thin slinky jersey that he favoured during this time period. This makes the dress feel almost weightless once on the body. The colour is that deep coffee colour that was one of the three talking points of the collection. It is set to drape and skim over the body in these fantastic panels from shoulder to hem. Anchoring these are panels of a black silk satin ribbon that run vertically down the lower part of the dress and are used to highlight and define the cut of the upper part. The dress falls from straps that curve over the shoulders and the inner bodice are two triangle that plunge low for a bare expanse of skin. The waist is anchored with more of the black ribbon. This is where the design gets interesting. He has put a second layer over the bodice that hooks into place at the side. The second layer is cut to be more blousy and adds to the draped feel the dress has. At the back the inner bodice cuts more straight across and then the overlay dips to the waist. Everything is cut on the bias so the dress has incredible drape in movement. When this is on and you move the whole dress reacts. It's really a fantastic piece. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a side zipper. The overlay hooks to close at the side. There is no size tag on this one and the dress does have some stretch. I have put the comfortable range of measurements of it laying flat. On a smaller frame it will drape more

Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: up to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of shoulder to waist
Skirt: 46" from waist to longest point of hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD4300

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2003 Yves Saint Laurent Runway, Look 43. Model Caroline Ribeiro.

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