An Yves Saint Laurent raglan sleeve coat, estimated from the 1980s.
A special acquisition.
Yves Saint Laurent is a luxury house founded in 1961 in Paris, France by its namesake designer Yves Saint-Laurent, alongside his partner Pierre Bergé and businessman Marc Robinson.
The designer Yves Saint-Laurent served as Christian Dior's creative director at just twenty-one years of age, and alongside figures like Coco Chanel and Paul Poiret, shaped the trajectory of twentieth-century French fashion.
Through his own house, he introduced a succession of innovations: the Mondrian Look, sheer silhouettes, the Safari Look, the smoking jacket for women, and palazzo pants among others.
By the 1980s, Yves Saint Laurent had become a dominant force in fashion. He was the first living designer to receive a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in 2001 was awarded the rank of Commandeur in the Légion d'honneur by the French President.
Though he retired in 2002, his forty-year career earned him the title "The Emperor of Fashion".
What follows is a raglan sleeve coat from Yves Saint Laurent — a piece marked by distinctive details and considerable character.
As noted, the sleeves employ a true raglan construction.
The diagonal seams afford greater freedom of movement, expanding the range of motion in the shoulders and arms, while adapting naturally to various frames.
The zip fasteners at the collar and cuffs present another intriguing detail.
Opening or closing these zips according to mood transforms the piece entirely—each configuration suggests a different character. There is pleasure both in observing and in wearing such versatility.
The collar can be configured in a lapel style, and opening the sleeve zips allows for glimpses of the inner layer, adding visual depth.
The hand warmer pockets at the waist are fitted with button-fastened flaps, though these are design elements only—non-functional in nature.
The front closure employs a double-breasted construction with both zipper and snap buttons.
The slider is fitted with YKK hardware.
The shell is cotton-polyester blended fabric, while the lining is nylon.
The synthetic blend lends a crisp hand and cool feel to the lightweight fabric, making it well-suited as a layering piece through spring and autumn.
This example retains its liner, a feature often absent in pieces of this age. With the liner attached, the coat remains wearable well into early winter.
It reads equally well worn loosely and casually, or cinched with the waist belt for greater definition. How you choose to wear it is a matter of mood and occasion.
Size marked as "54"
This corresponds to approximately XL in Japanese sizing.
Given the actual measurements, this is a substantial garment, and should accommodate larger frames without reservation.
There is visible wear—loose threads and minor marks—yet no damage significant enough to impair wear. The coat remains very much in use.
A refined example from "Yves Saint Laurent," the quintessential French luxury house.
A distinguished piece conceived by the designer himself, known as "The Emperor of Fashion."
Such pieces from the major luxury houses appear only rarely in our inventory.
Given its scarcity, those seeking it should not overlook this opportunity.
