1980S AZZEDINE ALAIA Navy Blue Rayon Jersey Body-Con Cocktail Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Marked Size: S (US)Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 35 in (88.9 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Please understand this is a site selling antique, meaning used items. We work our hardest to provide pieces for you in the most pristine condition however minor flaws are to be expected as with all antiques.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Azzedine Alaïa
Master Couturier, King of Cling: legendary fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa (1935–2017) is known by many names, each referring to his unparalleled ability to mold fabric onto the female form in unexpected and radical ways. The Tunisian-born designer spent his entire life in relentless pursuit of a wholly distinctive and most-flattering fit.
“For me, fashion is the body,” said Alaïa. “I make clothes; women make fashion.”
Alaïa is credited with inventing the supermodel through his exclusive fashion shows, the body-con dress — which, quite literally, hugs the body and emphasizes and embraces every curve — and pioneering what industry professionals have taken to calling “slow fashion.” The designer openly rejected empty, of-the-moment fads as well as the structure of biannual seasons and instead took his time, unhurried by press and releasing collections at his own pace. Most importantly, Alaïa was a visionary when it came to traditional notions of femininity and sexuality. At a time when loose, soft silhouettes were the norm, Alaïa’s sexy, waist-cinching hourglass and body-con outfits were shocking.
Alaïa’s “body-conscious clothes,” wrote fashion critic Suzy Menkes, “seemed a deliberate challenge — throwing down a sexist gauntlet in a feminist world.”
While powerful women such as Madonna, Michelle Obama, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington wear Alaïa’s creations today, his origins were remarkably humble.
Born to a farming family, Alaïa always had a creative streak. As a young boy, he would flip through women’s fashion magazines and quickly became interested in the design of women's clothing. He went on to study sculpture at the School of Fine Arts in Tunis and later worked as a tailor for a dressmaker before he found work creating garments based on Parisian haute couture designs. The combination of his classical training in sculpture and practical experience as a tailor convinced Alaïa that fashion was his calling. In 1957, he moved to Paris and worked for Christian Dior for less than a week before being fired. From there, Alaïa secured a job with Guy Laroche and opened his own maison in the 1970s.
At his core, Alaïa was a couturier who cut and sewed his samples himself. He also experimented with zips, seams, unexpected materials, textures, animal prints and floral patterns like an artist. Today, Alaïa’s clothes look untouched by the passage of time and the various trends that have materialized since their debut; they are as fresh, stylish and stunning as ever. His garments are pop-culture icons in their own right: Cher Horowitz, played by Alicia Silverstone in 1995’s Clueless, exasperated with a perpetrator holding her at gunpoint, declares, “But this is an Alaïa!”
Vintage Alaïa evening dresses, skirts and other attire continue to influence contemporary designers such as Nicolas Ghesquière and Hervé Léger. Not only are his clothes timeless in their glamour, but they also represent the groundbreaking vision of an artist, one who was known to proclaim, “I am not a designer. I am a couturier.”
Find a collection of Azzedine Alaïa day dresses, suits, jackets and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1950S PEGGY HUNT Black & Red Silk Taffeta Chantilly Lace Cocktail DressBy Peggy HuntLocated in New York, NYSome fading on the shoulder but otherwise in perfect shape. 1950S PEGGY HUNT Black & Red Silk Taffeta Chantilly Lace Cocktail DressCategory
1950s American Day Dresses
- 1920S Brown Silk Burnout Velvet Devoré Drop Waist Flapper DressLocated in New York, NY1920S Brown Silk Burnout Velvet Devoré Drop Waist Flapper DressCategory
1920s Day Dresses
- 1950S DOLCE & GABBANA Style Silk Twill Red Black Classic Rose Floral Printed DrLocated in New York, NY1950S DOLCE & GABBANA Style Silk Twill Red Black Classic Rose Floral Printed Dress With Hand Draped NecklineCategory
1950s American Day Dresses
- 1970S FIORELLA Italian Jersey Boho Dress With TasselsLocated in New York, NY1970S FIORELLA Italian Jersey Boho Dress With TasselsCategory
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Black Wool Boucle & Patent Leather Bias Cut Dress 1992 BonBy Gianni VersaceLocated in New York, NYDoes not come with belt but has belt loops. Please see our accessories section to see several Gold Versace Belts which would work with this dress. Originally modeled in the famous Ms...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970S Black & White Silk Mousseline Long Sleeved Gown With Purple Green GeometrLocated in New York, NY1970S Black & White Silk Mousseline Long Sleeved Gown With Purple Green Geometric Print From BrusselsCategory
1970s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Karl Lagerfeld 1990s Black Avant Garde Vintage 90s Sash Zipper Mini DressBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage KARL LAGERFELD early 90s black rayon mini dress ! Features a tailored bodice with a flirty skater like skirt. Full metal zipper up the front with hook-and-eye closure at...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- F/2015 L#16 VERSUS VERSACE+ANTHONY V.ASYMMETRIC BLACK DRESS w/DEEP V-NECK 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE VERSUS + Anthony Vaccarello PR-sample Collection Fall 2015 Look #16 Black dress For a seductive LBD that packs a punch, turn to Versus Versace. This dress has sleevel...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Bob Mackie Size 4 Vintage Black and Silver Sequin Bodycon Strapless Mini DressBy Bob MackieLocated in San Diego, CASexy, yet sophisticated vintage BOB MACKIE black bodcon strapless dress, with silver sequins hand-sewn around the front and back bodice! Sensational fitted dress with built in suppor...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Christian Lacroix Red and Black Strapless Cocktail DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1990s Christian Lacroix red and black chantily lace strapless cocktail dress. Size: XS Bust: 32" / Waist: 26" Hip: 34" Length: 26" ***All Sales i...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta Black Linen Halter Gown with Ruffles, 1990sBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta Black Linen Halter Gown with Ruffles - 10 - 1990's . This gown is truly spectacular and can be worn black tie or cocktail because of its casual fabric. It features ...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia navy knitted virgin wool bodycon hooded dress, fw 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia knitted virgin wool dress ▪ Single zip fastening circles the body starting at the right hip and ending at the left breast ▪ Integr...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
After Centuries, the Kimono’s Influence on Fashion Is Still Strong
We talked to museum curators and fashion experts to find out how and why the kimono has remained endlessly fascinating for more than 1,000 years.