1980 Runway Documented Yves Saint Laurent Yellow Cotton Corset Top
This runway-documented top comes from Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche’s Spring/Summer 1980 collection, where variations of the fitted, button-front bustier with a flared peplum appeared repeatedly and in several colourways. A pair of shorts in the same mustard yellow colourway was also shown on the runway. The silhouette forms part of an important recurring design language for Saint Laurent, developed throughout the late 1970s and drawing on the fitted corselets and bustier forms of his seminal 1976 Ballets Russes collection.
Tailored from vibrant mustard yellow cotton, the top has slim spaghetti straps and a carefully panelled construction that closely shapes the body before flaring into a playful peplum at the waist. It fastens through the front with tonal plastic buttons and is fully lined in matching cotton.
The top is in very good archival vintage condition for clothing approaching half a century of age. There is a small mark to the inside of the bust which is not visible when worn. It is labelled a French size 38 but runs smaller than modern sizing so is best suited to a UK 6-8 or US 2-4; the fabric has no stretch. Please refer to the sizing information below to ensure the best fit.
Notes on Design: Saint Laurent returned repeatedly to the corseted bodice throughout his career, adapting historic dress into something far simpler and more modern. An important precursor can be found in his celebrated Autumn/Winter 1976 “Opéras–Ballets Russes” haute couture collection, which incorporated fitted corselets alongside full skirts and richly layered separates. Strappy bustiers subsequently appeared within Rive Gauche, and by Spring/Summer 1980 the button-front, peplum version had become a recurring feature of the collection. It is a good example of Saint Laurent’s habit of revisiting and refining established house ideas rather than treating them as one-season designs.
MEASUREMENTS
BUST - 30 in. (76 cm)
WAIST - 26 in. (66 cm)
LENGTH - 18.5 in. (47 cm)
Pickup available at CIRCA VINTAGE
Usually ready in 24 hours
F.A.Q.
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What is archival fashion?
Archival fashion refers to historically significant designer garments preserved for their cultural, aesthetic, or technical importance. At Circa, archival fashion includes couture archive pieces, runway garments, early designer work, and museum-quality vintage that document the evolution of fashion history.
How is archival fashion different from vintage?
While vintage typically describes clothing over 20 years old, archival vintage is selected for its rarity, provenance, and relevance to a designer’s archive or fashion history. Circa specialises in archival pieces rather than general vintage.