1980's AZZEDLINE ALAIA black velour dress with studs
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Marked Size: FR 42 (runs small) (EU)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content: 70% cotton and 30% nylon. Metal studs.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Small professionally invisibly rewoven area near bottom of skirt. Wear to velour consistent with age and use. Oxidation to metal studs.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8122075042
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT rive gauche purple silk floral dressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Fransisco, CAPurple, floral-printed, silk dress with long waist tie from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1970's. Labeled a French size 42 however this fits very small, especially if worn off the...Category
1970s French Maxi Dress
- 1973 COURREGES abstract printed silk dress with rufflesBy André CourrègesLocated in San Fransisco, CAGreen and off-white abstract printed silk dress with ruffles from Andre Courreges dating to the 1973. Labeled a Courreges '00' which fits a size 0/2. Approximate measurements: bust 3...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's LEONARD of PARIS floral watercolor printed silk jersey babydoll dressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in San Fransisco, CAFloral-printed, silk-jersey babydoll dress in tones of grey and black designed by Leonard of Paris dating to the 1990's. No size is labeled however this would best fit a size S to M....Category
Late 20th Century French Babydoll Day Dresses
- 1990's LEONARD silk jersey leopard printed draped dressBy LeonardLocated in San Fransisco, CAVivid, leopard-printed, silk-jersey dress with draped cut designed by Leonard dating to the 1990's. No size is indicated however this would best fit a US 8-10. Approximate measuremen...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1970's ANDRE LAUG silk dress with gathered waistBy André LaugLocated in San Fransisco, CATextured taupe silk dress with flattering gathered center by Andre Laug dating to the early 1970's. Best fits a US 4 or 6 (interior waistband which can easily be removed measures app...Category
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990's LANVIN silk floral printed dressBy Lanvin ParisLocated in San Fransisco, CASilk, floral-printed dress with button closure and unique straps from Lanvin dating to the late 1980's, early 1990's. French size 38. Approximate measurements: bust 33.5-34", waist 2...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Emilio Pucci Blue Silk DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Paris, FREmilio Pucci blue silk jersey printed dress featuring an iconic geometric print, a front gathered detail. Composition: 100% silk Estimated size IT42/38fr/US6 /UK10 Made in Italy. In...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1984 Yves Saint Laurent Floral Silk Runway Dress w Black Velvet TrimBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis iconic Yves Saint Laurent dress is in a fine floral silk in shades of dove grey and pink on a black background with black velvet trim at the cuffs, yoke and over the shoulders. ...Category
1980s European Day Dresses
- Valentino Red Crepe Vintage Dress With DrapingBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThere is nothing like the perfect red! The Valentino dress is in the classic "Valentino red" which is such a flattering color and it has just the right pigment to flatter all skin types. This lovely dress is such a perfect piece to add to any wardrobe and can easily go from day to night with the right accessories! We especially love the gorgeous draping in the back and the puckered, paneled sleeve detail. The center back has a 10 1/2" slit at the hem and there is a center back hidden zipper closure with a hook and eye. This fully lined dress is made in an acetate viscose blend crepe and it is labeled Valentino. Made in italy...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Knit Hook Closure Runway Black Knit Dress SetBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a slinky hook and eye closure accented sweater dress set designed by Tom Ford for Gucci's Spring/Summer 2002 collection. This set debuted as look number 23 on Erin Wasson on the Spring/Summer 2002 runway and was seen on Debra Messing at the 2002 Screen Actor's Guild Awards and in the March 2002 issue of L'Uomo Vogue...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Mid-Late 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Black Dropped Hem Bias-Cut Wiggle Gown LBDBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vintage midi Gianni Versace dress, designed by Gianni Versace. This is the little black dress your wardrobe is missing. Simple and classy, th...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- F/W 1991 Gianni Versace Couture Runway Black Stretch Bouclé Wool Mini Dress LBDBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a runway-ready little black dress designed by Gianni Versace for his iconic Fall/Winter 1991 collection. This piece debuted as runway look number 27 on Marpessa Hennink an...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses