Azzedine Alaia black knitted bodycon dress with red ribbon graphic, fw 1992
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140212971672
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.
- Ossie Clark angel-sleeve drawstring dress with print by Celia Birtwell, ss 1971By Ossie ClarkLocated in London, GB▪ Ossie Clark angel-sleeve dress ▪ 'Busy Lizzie' floral print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Pink and green with black ground ▪ Loose fit ▪ Drawstring fastening a...Category
1970s British Day Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood striped open knit dress with tubular scarf, ss 2005By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood striped knitted dress ▪ Rib-knit skirt and collar ▪ Open-knit tubular scarf attached at the breasts ▪ Extra-long collar which doubles as a hood ▪ Can be styl...Category
Early 2000s British 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
- Jean Paul Gaultier navy striped nylon mesh tube dress and cardigan set, c. 2001By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier tube dress and cardigan set ▪ Nylon mesh with navy blue and white stripes and a graffiti print border ▪ Fitted card...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Martin Margiela artisanal dress made from reclaimed vintage dresses, fw 1993By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Rare Martin Margiela artisanal maxi dress ▪ Made from a patchwork of damaged 1940s dresses sourced by the designer at the flea markets in Paris ▪ Small - Medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Comme des Garçons 'Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body' dress, ss 1997By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GB▪ Comme des Garçons 'Body Meets Dress, Dress Meets Body' dress ▪ Designed by Rei Kawakubo ▪ Museum piece ▪ Two-tone purple and green polyester organz...Category
1990s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Claude Montana Black Wrap Dress/Optional Coat With Velvet AccentsBy Claude Montana Paris, Claude MontanaLocated in New York, NYClaude Montana black wrap dress with an optional choice to wear as a coat iss accented with velvet as ties and finished with gold hardware caps on ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990s Moschino Couture It's All So Simple Black Sleeveless Shift DressBy MoschinoLocated in San Francisco, CAVintage 1990s Moschino Couture black and white sleeveless sheath dress with "It's all so simple" embroidery at front. Back zip. 52% acetate, 48% rayon. Fully lined in 60% acetate, ...Category
1990s Italian Casual Dresses
- Eisenberg Originals Dress with Beaded Lace Panel 1940sBy Eisenberg OriginalsLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful black silk 1940s dress by Eisenberg Originals. It has a crew neckline, long sleeves and a stunning richly detailed glass seed beaded lace insert across the upper chest an...Category
1940s American Day Dresses
- 1990s Nicole Miller Vintage Black and White ' Chess ' Embroidered Black Dress 4By Nicole MillerLocated in San Diego, CAChic and rare early 1990s NICOLE MILLER little black novelty "Chess' dress! Flirty fit, with a fitted bodice, and a slightly flared skirt. A whimsical take on the LBD, with Chess the...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- A French Little Black Dress and Bolero By Nina Ricci Circa 1955By Nina RicciLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1955 France Little black dress and its bolero by Nina Ricci and signed Paris 55. Black stretch silk ottoman with parallel ribs allowing a tight fit and especially an interest...Category
1950s French Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace 1997 Couture fall black leather gownBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHGianni Versace was an influential Italian fashion designer who founded the Versace brand. In the fall of 1997, he presented his couture collection in Paris, which was widely acclaimed for its opulent fabrics, bold prints, and intricate detailing. The collection featured several notable pieces, such as a black evening gown with a plunging neckline and a gold-encrusted jacket. However, just a few days later, on July 15th, 1997, Gianni was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach home. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of fashion continue to be celebrated, and his legacy remains an inspiration too many. This collection is iconic as it’s the final collection before his passing. The collection very much showed a new direction for the house. Which was heading away from the bombshell curves and souped-up sex appeal that the house previously focussed on. But took more Inspirations to the new wave John Galliano and Mcqueen were leading. MET Gala: Salma Hayek y sus mejores momentos en la alfombra roja Vogue For the 1997 Met Gala Salma Hayek wore a very similar Gianni Versace look...Category
1990s 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.
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.