The Vintage YSL Collector: Sara
Meet Sara, a Parisienne with Serbian heritage. She spent 20 years working in fashion and is now a vintage furniture gallery owner who counts Catherine Deneuve and Caroline de Monaco amongst the muses who inform her personal style. A Vestiaire Collective member since 2012, she talks about her ongoing commitment to sustainability through clothes and what she’s currently on the hunt for. Think iconic pieces from the Yves Saint Laurent 1976 Ballet Russes collection, velvet skirts and colorful ensembles.
I love vintage fashion and furniture because…
It’s my nostalgic escapism bubble: I am fascinated with the past. I’ve always collected vintage fashion and objects, but have been paying more attention to it lately as it fits the sustainable lifestyle that we desperately need today. My favorite piece I bought from Vestiaire is a vintage YSL jacket in bright purple.
I gravitate towards vintage YSL because…
It’s a karmic mix of my mother being a model for the house, the 1970’s Paris flat I grew up in and the FABULOUS Catherine Deneuve. This YSL tuxedo (pictured) is from circa 1982. I’ve had this jacket since the ‘90s and I acquired it in Paris. What a find! It is such an easy, comfortable and well cut item that you can wear it during the day with flats and also for evening with a simple change to heels.
My fall cocktail dressing outfit is…
Classic and old school. A colorful cropped silk jacket over a silk blouse paired with high waisted trousers or a skirt. Topped off with statement vintage jewelry that I bought on Vestiaire, for instance, my necklaces from Guy Laroche and Givenchy together with some fabulous Valentino earrings.
My #1 tip for shopping vintage fashion is…
Know your sizes because different designers have different fits. I always size up when I buy YSL, Louis Feraud and Guy Laroche. I also gravitate towards vintage Giorgio Armani and Givenchy for their superior fit. For accessories you can never go wrong with Hermes; I have a Kelly bag that my mother gave to me for my 18th Birthday and it’s my go-to vintage bag. Huge emotional value!