Couture dress and shoes | Yves Saint Laurent & Roger Vivier | Fashion Unpicked | V&A

Discover a dazzling 1960s evening dress embellished with precious metal threads, beads, sequins, diamantes and coral (which was commonly used in fashion at the time but is now protected). This dress was designed by French couturier Yves Saint Laurent, who took the helm as Head Designer at the prestigious House of Dior when he was only 21 years old. Assistant Curator Chloe Gilbert talks us through the dress’s exquisite craftsmanship, construction and luxury materials, and explains how this dress was on the cusp of a new era of modern fashions for women. She also unboxes a matching pair of evening shoes, designed by legendary shoe designer Roger Vivier, famous for re-inventing stiletto heels. Find out more about 1960s fashion: See more shoes in our collection: