YSL dress, above. All photos by Jean-Claude Sauer from Life Magazine, September 2, 1966.
It doesn't get much better than this cover of Life Magazine from September 2, 1966. Yves Saint Laurent's jersey gown with silhouette takes on an almost sculptural quality when shown with Raymond Hains' pop art matches. The accompanying editorial is a quick run-through of every single theme in haute couture at the time, unified only by being the best of the best. While these designs were beyond the scope of most readers dreams, many of them were easily adapted to cheaper versions- in particular, YSL's colour-blocked jersey shifts.
All clothes by YSL. Over-sized matches by Raymond Hains.
Top left: Marc Bohan for Dior outfits worn at La Chaumière Russe; bottom left: Pierre Cardin gown in the Coq d'Or; middle: Pierre Cardin cocktail dress outside the Russian church; right: Capucci desert-fox coat and pants suit.
Top left: Castillo beaded dress; top right: Dior halter dresses; bottom left: Grès jersey gown; bottom right: Cardin ruffled evening dress. All photographed in front of the discotheque, New Jimmy's.
Top: Dior fox fur trimmed black crepe evening pajamas; bottom: YSL velvet and lace dress.