Pieces made by designer on block

Tag : cable knit sweaters
A month after the death of Yves Saint Laurent, sevenpieces of the French fashion designer's clothing and jewelry,representing almost every decade of his career, will be auctionedby Christie's.

The items at the July 2 auction will include a 1958 cocktail dressfor Dior and a 1970s Rive Gauche camel cable-knit sweater trimmedin fox fur and similar to one Jacqueline Onassis wore.

"What's exciting about the collection is that you see theprogression of his career. He was a real style-setter," said LauraLeyfer, couture specialist for Christie's.

Saint Laurent died June 1 at 71. Considered one of the mostinfluential designers of the 20th century, his creations -- frompop-art print minidresses to peasant skirts and elegant pantsuits-- endure to this day.

The cable-knit sweater -- with a pre-sale estimate of $250 to $400-- is a version of one Onassis was often photographed wearing, astyle she owned in several colors, according to Christie's auctioncatalog.

All of the items are in excellent condition and are relativelyinexpensive because they aren't new designs and have been worn,Leyfer said.

Another item for sale is a dusty pink layered tulle evening dresswith metallic pink and silver embroidery. It was designed for Diorin 1958 and could fetch $1,000 to $1,500.

The costume jewelry includes a floral gold-tone metal and crystalstone necklace from 1990, and a hammered gilt-metal "ethnic"necklace from

the 1970s.