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January 29, 1962
Presentation of the First Collection

Related to Haute Couture House, Fashion

On Monday, January 29, crowds gathered to see the presentation of Yves Saint Laurent’s first collection at 30 bis rue Spontini. The Countess of Paris, Princess Anne, the Baroness de Rothschild, Roland Petit and Zizi Jeanmaire, Geneviève Fath, Françoise Sagan, and members of the fashion industry came to witness the comeback of “the little prince of fashion.”

While Yves Saint Laurent maintained the rigorous construction he had learned at Dior, he freed the female form, which had been constrained by a severe silhouette and disappeared under layers of clothing. The collection was epitomized by the first piece that was presented: a pea coat worn with white pants, the simplicity and spirit of which recalled Chanel.

The most beautiful collection since Chanel.

Life, April 9, 1962.

Paris crowns Dior’s dauphin, and a sprig of lily of the valley brought him luck.

Jour de France.

We were expecting a collection by a young man of the future, but we saw a collection by a modern-day master.

Elle (France).

Yves: Fashion’s Third Force

Women’s Wear Daily.

Galerie

Original sketch of an afternoon dress. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection., © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of an afternoon dress. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection.
© Yves Saint Laurent
Atelier's specification sheet, or
Atelier's specification sheet, or "Bible," for the first design in the spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection.
© Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of an evening gown. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection., © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of an evening gown. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection.
© Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a suit. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection., © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a suit. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection.
© Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a short evening dress. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a short evening dress. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection
© Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a sailor sweater and skirt. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a sailor sweater and skirt. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection
© Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a suit. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, © Yves Saint Laurent
Original sketch of a suit. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection
© Yves Saint Laurent
"Formal Ensembles" collection board. Spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection
© Yves Saint Laurent
Evening dress worn by Victoire Doutreleau, Spring-Summer 1962 haute couture collection, salons of 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962., © Droits réservés
Evening dress worn by Victoire Doutreleau, Spring-Summer 1962 haute couture collection, salons of 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962.
© Droits réservés
Ensemble worn by Fidélia during the fashion show for the spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, the salons at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962, © Droits réservés
Ensemble worn by Fidélia during the fashion show for the spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, the salons at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962
© Droits réservés
Suit worn by Heather during the fashion show for the spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, the salons at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962, © Droits réservés
Suit worn by Heather during the fashion show for the spring-summer 1962 haute couture collection, the salons at 30 bis rue Spontini, Paris, January 29, 1962
© Droits réservés