Azzedine Alaia S/S 1991 Vintage Bustier Color Block Bodycon Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: L (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1624117257012
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: Naples, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gianni Versace S/S 1997 Runway Embellished Sheer Lace Shawl Evening Dress GownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace S/S 1997 Runway Crystal Embellished Sheer Lace Mesh Evening Dress Gown with Shawl 2 Piece Set IT 40 Look 94 from the Spring 1997 Collection.Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci F/W 2003 Bustier Bra Cutout Bodycon DressBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Naples, FLTom Ford for Gucci F/W 2003 Bustier Bra Bodycon Cutout Dress Size IT 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2008 Vintage Logo Mesh Bodycon Maxi DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil Vintage Logo Mesh Bodycon Maxi Dress Size MCategory
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Embellished Plunged Cutout Evening Dress GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli Embellished Plunged Cutout Evening Dress Gown IT 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2011 Runway Unworn Sequin Embellished Green Evening DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana F/W 2011 Runway Unworn Sequin Embellished Green Evening Dress IT 40 Look 45 from the Fall 2011 Collection Condition: New with TagsCategory
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Psychedelic Bacteria Print Sheer Mesh Mini DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier S/S 2000 Psychedelic Bacteria Print Sheer Mesh Mini Dress Size MCategory
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Elisabetta Franchi Mint Green Lace & Tulle Sleeveless Gown LBy Elisabetta FranchiLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Resplendent, elegant, and gorgeous, this gown defines it all. Flaunting a floor-length silhouette, this gown is beautified using stunning details and a stylish neckline. Wear it with...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Green Jersey Low V Neck Full Length Evening Dress W Open BackBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Portland, ORThis gorgeous green jersey Roberto Cavalli full length evening dress is deadstock with its original tags and holographic authenticity sticker attached. This lovely dress has an empir...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- F/W 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Green Knit Dress + Medusa Button Cardigan SetBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sexy take on a knit dress, designed by Gianni Versace. Debuted as look number 32 on the Fall/Winter 1993 runway, modeled by Naomi Campbell, this set speaks for itself! C...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Vintage Moroccan Green Kaftan with Orange EmbroideriesLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage Moroccan kaftan, embroidered with orange threads. This chic Bohemian maxi dress kaftan, apple green satin is embroidered and embellished with handwoven thread trim. It is a slip on, the button does not open. One of a kind custom tailored evening Moroccan vintage gown. Vintage exotic 1970s maxi dress kaftan with orange trim. Handmade in North Africa, Morocco. Long sleeves with detailed buttoned and embroidered trim, fully front thread buttoning with 99 gold hand knotted looped buttons running down the centre from the neckline to the hemline for the undergarment. Dress measurement flat: Shoulder 14" (seam to seam) Sleeve 23" (shoulder seam to cuff) Chest 36" Waist 38" Hip 40" Total length 63" Size Medium. Handcrafted by Moroccan Artist designer, this is a one of a kind caftan, inspired by the tales of princess of the Arabian Nights. The Kaftan is a long and wide tunic, collarless, long-sleeved, worn by man and women in Africa, India, Rajasthan and the Middle East. The Moroccan kaftans inspired European and global designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Dior, and many more who made the Moorish caftans...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans
- Silk Velvet Caftan by I. Magnin Designer Maxi Dress Kaftan, 1970 Emerald GreenBy I. MagninLocated in North Hollywood, CAVintage I. Magnin 1970s silk velvet caftan with embroidered neckline and sleeve embellished and intricately embroidered with pearls and gold threads. Zipper in front. This designer dark green color silk velvet Bohemian style kaftan...Category
20th Century American Caftans
- Elegant Moroccan Caftan Green and Gold Embroidered with Moorish DesignsLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan green and gold embroidered trim, circa 1980s. This long maxi dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished with traditional trim in gold. One of a kind Moroccan...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans