–SPECIAL– “Yves Saint Laurent rive gauche” 00’s Besace flap textured leather shoulder bag

Since the Maison’s founding in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent has continued to exert a profound influence on contemporary fashion through an innovative perspective that reimagines tailoring, sensuality, and the established dress codes. We are pleased to present this iconic piece—an archival design reinterpreted through a contemporary sensibility.

Crafted in black leather with a rich, deep-grain texture, the supple messenger silhouette is elevated by a large flap, two leather straps, and elongated eyelets reminiscent of antique gold. In doing so, the structure of a practical bag is transformed into an exquisite decorative element in its own right.

This piece is a model known as the Besace Flap, introduced around 2008 to 2009. It became one of the maison’s leather goods that epitomized the era of Stefano Pilati, who served as Creative Director at the time. With its archival context of reintroducing Saint Laurent’s bag design—originating in 1969—into the present, we believe you will feel its exceptional value as a special collection item.

On the front of the flap, two leather belts run vertically, each passing through elongated gold-tone eyelets. Rather than treating the hardware as mere decoration, the design showcases the relationship between leather and metal itself—a truly outstanding detail. The result is an aesthetic that channels the functional apparel context that Yves Saint Laurent long championed, such as military and safari-inspired pieces, translated into a more urban, sophisticated messenger bag.

The leather does not present a uniformly embossed fine grain; instead, a rich texture emerges in which the grain and creasing vary by area. Although the design is monochrome black, the way it catches the light creates dimensional shadows and highlights—so even without relying on lavish ornamentation, you can feel the presence of the material itself.

The rounded body maintains ample capacity, yet rather than being rigidly held in place by a core material, it has a natural drape that makes the leather’s softness its defining character. When you place your belongings inside, the form settles against your body, beautifully balancing the everyday practicality of a messenger bag with the refined dignity of a luxury leather accessory.

In addition, the adjustable shoulder strap is fitted with angular gold-tone hardware. By harmonizing the hardware tones—from the eyelets on the front to even the fine rivets—the design adds a warm accent to the weighty, substantial expression of the black leather. Without displaying an overly conspicuous logo at the forefront, it achieves a finish that conveys quality at a glance.

Inside, a black canvas lining is used, and multiple pockets ensure reliable storage for everyday needs. Furthermore, features such as a leather patch with the YSL lettering stitched prominently on the base discreetly embed the brand’s identity even in areas where the eye typically doesn’t go—another魅力 of this bag.

In particular, this Besace is documented by official corporate materials from Yves Saint Laurent in 2008, alongside Muse and Ymail, as a model that helped lead the leather goods category. Its significance lies not only in the fact that it is simply a vintage bag from an earlier era, but also in its value as a product that tells how the maison during the Stefano Pilati period connected the founder’s archive to the present day.

It was also widely covered in fashion magazines and at retail at the time, and was recognized as a bag that epitomized YSL in 2008. Even when you look at it again now, it is clear that it is not merely a fleeting It Bag. Rather, it is a highly refined design that made its place as a usable, enduring everyday object while referencing the maison’s history.

For those who wish to incorporate a classic leather bag with a more modern, fashion-forward sensibility—certainly—but it is especially a piece we recommend for anyone who values material, construction, and the brand’s historical context itself over logo prominence. With its generously sized, gender-unrestricted silhouette and practical functionality, it will also fit naturally into your current wardrobe.

For styling, shoulder it with a long coat or a tailored jacket paired with wide trousers for a polished look that allows the bag’s soft silhouette to create just the right amount of ease. Alternatively, pair shirts or draped tops with slacks to enjoy a lighter, more refined style while preserving the tension and unmistakable sense of genderless attitude associated with Saint Laurent.

The fact that this piece reconfigures the maison’s ideas born in the 1960s through the sensibilities of the late 2000s, and still holds up as a well-formed and practical leather bag even without knowing the background—this is precisely why its appeal continues through today. It is a special piece that lets you bring Yves Saint Laurent’s archive into everyday life as fashion.

We invite you to experience this opportunity.