Azzedine Alaia cream cotton pleated coat dress, ss 1985
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. 1 faint spot stain on shoulder, hardly noticeable.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140212733652
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vivienne Westwood brown shearling coat dress, fw 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood brown shearling coat dress. High neck, signature Westwood Orb buttons, fitted waist and flared skirt. Fall-Winter 1992Category
1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Paul Daunay Couture silk and wool dress and coat ensemble, c. 1952-57By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPresenting an exquisite and exceptionally rare Paul Daunay couture fall daytime ensemble, a true gem hailing from the era of circa 1952-57. This ensemble is a stunning showcase of ar...Category
1950s French Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier burgundy nylon puffer coat with large faux fur hood, fw 1995By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier burgundy nylon puffer coat dress ▪ Oversized pointed hood with faux fur trim ▪ Metal zipper at the center front opening ▪ Two front pockets ▪ Elasticated cuffs...Category
1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Comme des Garçons grey jersey deconstructed sweater dress, fw 1998By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GBComme des Garçons grey jersey deconstructed sweater dress with hook and eye fastenings and various shaped panels Fall-Winter 1998Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood navy blue striped cotton jersey dress, ss 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood navy blue and white striped cotton jersey dress with printed baroque metallic gold picture frame. Civilizade, Spring-Summer 1989Category
1980s British Day Dresses
- John Galliano grey rayon checked Blanche Dubois bustled coat dress, ss 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London; grey rayon Prince of Wales check coat dress. Bustled skirt falling in polonaise drapes, gathering into a band at the hem - c...Category
1980s British Day Dresses
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent White Cotton Coat Dress or Duster Style CoatBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage early 1980's Yves Saint Laurent white cotton duster style coat or coat dress is another YSL take on the utilitarian smock style dresses and tops he designed in the 1970'...Category
1980s Coats and Outerwear
- 1960s Black and Yellow Flower Print Brocade CoatLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s Cocktail Coat in Yellow gold flower print in black brocade. Size: LargeCategory
1960s American Coats and Outerwear
- Rodarte Coat with OstrichBy RodarteLocated in Beverly Hills, CARodarte patent leather coat with ostrich feather trim. Coat is never worn with neiman marcus tag $25,300! Marked size 8Category
Early 2000s American Coats
- 1970s Green Red and White Mary Farin Knitted DressBy Mary FarrinLocated in London, GBA 1970s Mary Farrin knitted dress. This is a really versatile piece from renowned British knitwear designer Mary Farrin in a wonderful combination of deep ...Category
1970s Maltese Aesthetic Day Dresses
- A Ceremonial Kaftan or Entari in brocaded satin - Ottoman Empire Circa 1900-1930Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1900-1930 Ottoman Empire Long ceremonial coat, kaftan or Entari in silk and cotton satin with fine stripes drawn with rosettes. Crew neck cut, long sleeves with slits at the w...Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Caftans
- 1980s Michaele Vollbracht Vintage Cashmere Wool Plaid Coat Dress or DusterBy Michaele VollbrachtLocated in Sparks, NVVersatile coat, duster or dress by Michaele Vollbracht in a black and white plaid. Unlined with front zip closure. The marked size is medium. 60% wool, 15% nylon, 15% polyester, 10% ...Category
1980s American Coats and Outerwear
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.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.