Overview
This is a striking vintage promotional umbrella created for Parfums Yves Saint Laurent to celebrate their iconic 'Rive Gauche' fragrance. Featuring the brand's signature electric blue, black, and silver-grey color palette, the canopy is printed with a bold geometric basketweave and diamond pattern that perfectly captures the chic, bohemian spirit of Paris's Left Bank.
Story
Launched in 1971, Rive Gauche was designed for the independent, modern woman who bought her own perfume. This umbrella was a coveted 'gift with purchase' at high-end department store fragrance counters, turning rainy days into a walking billboard for French haute couture.
Maker / Origin
Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most influential designers of the 20th century, revolutionized fashion by introducing ready-to-wear luxury. His 'Rive Gauche' boutique, opened in 1966, democratized high fashion, and the subsequent 1971 fragrance of the same name became a global symbol of free-spirited Parisian elegance.
Condition & Value
The umbrella shows moderate wear consistent with age and use, including noticeable brown water staining and color fading along the fold lines of the blue canopy. The frame and handle appear intact, but the fabric staining reduces its value by approximately 40% compared to a mint-condition example.