Cocktail ensemble
One of Saint Laurent's notable designs was a precisely tailored, tuxedo-inspired jacket paired with either a skirt or trousers in an ensemble known as "le smoking." As an alternative to more traditional feminine evening gowns, this design received a great deal of attention in the 1970s. Two of Saint Laurent's 1959 designs for Dior, however, this ensemble and another from the same gift (2009.300.20a, b), show a much earlier iteration of the idea. While neither is as severe or androgynous as the later versions of "le smoking," both of these cocktail ensembles exhibit characteristics of Saint Laurent's signature menswear-inspired look.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cocktail ensemble
- Design House: House of Dior (French, founded 1946)
- Designer: Yves Saint Laurent (French (born Algeria) Oran 1936–2008 Paris)
- Date: spring/summer 1959
- Culture: French
- Medium: silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Henry Rogers Benjamin, 1965
- Object Number: 2009.300.362a–d
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Multiple artists/makers
fall/winter 1961–62
House of Dior
Marc Bohan
1980s
House of Dior
Christian Dior
spring/summer 1955
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
spring/summer 1993
House of Dior
Gianfranco Ferré
1990–97
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.