Skip to main content

Yves Saint Laurent sketch and photograph collection

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: SC.78

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 10 fashion "croquis", photocopied figures with handpainted garments, with fabric swatches, and 3 photographs of models shown wearing the enclosed designs. All sketches are on Yves Saint Laurent stationary, and there are three typewritten clothing descriptions in French.

Dates

  • Creation: Summer 1971

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you wish to schedule an appointment to view this material or have any questions, visit our website.

Conditions Governing Use

The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion.

Biographical / Historical

French fashion designer Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent (1936 – 2008), professionally known as Yves Saint-Laurent, began his career at the age of 19 as a protege to Christian Dior, and was swiftly promoted to head designer of the House of Dior a few years later after Dior's untimely death. Saint Laurent left Dior to found his eponymous fashion label in 1961. He is regarded as being among the foremost fashion designers in the twentieth century. His approach to women's fashion involved pursuing an elegant look without sacrificing comfort. He is also credited with having introduced the tuxedo suit for women and was known for his use of non-European cultural references, and non-white models.

Full Extent

1 Linear Feet (One medium-sized box)

Partial Extent

8 items : Photocopied and handpainted sketches, some with textile swatches attached

Partial Extent

3 Photographic Prints

Language of Materials

English

French

Related Materials

* Croquis No. 54 strongly resembles Object number:

86.126.14 in the FIT Museum: https://fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu/objects/40733/8612614?ctx=bc6781e8-3ff3-47aa-a5c7-a2f987b88bcc&idx=0

Title
Yves Saint Laurent sketch and photograph collection
Date
2024-05-05
Description rules
Aat; Ansi; Dacs; Dcmi; Isad(g); Iso; Lo C; Niso; Etc
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Edition statement
Original description by Samantha Levin, FIT, NY, NY, USA, 2024; finding aid updated by Julie Sandy Boyle, Feb 2026.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository

Contact:
Fashion Institute of Technology - SUNY
Goodman Resource Center | Room E432
New York NY 10001 USA
(212) 217-4385