Which designer introduced 'Le Smoking,' a tuxedo suit for women, in 1966?

Yves Saint Laurent introduced “Le Smoking,” a tuxedo suit for women, in 1966.

Saint Laurent presented the design in his autumn-winter 1966 haute couture collection. It adapted the traditionally masculine dinner suit for women's evening wear, typically combining a sharply tailored jacket and trousers with details such as satin lapels. The name “Le Smoking” became particularly associated with Saint Laurent's version.

The design challenged the expectation that women attending formal evening events should wear dresses. At first, reactions were mixed: some critics and venues considered trousers inappropriate for women, and the garment was not immediately accepted by every client. Its boldness eventually became part of its appeal.

The tuxedo gained cultural visibility through figures including Françoise Hardy, Catherine Deneuve, Bianca Jagger, and Liza Minnelli. Saint Laurent repeatedly revisited the design in later collections, producing variations that made it a lasting part of women's fashion. The phrase “Le Smoking” can refer broadly to a women's tuxedo, but the iconic 1966 fashion statement is specifically associated with Yves Saint Laurent.