ALAIA black raffia EMBELLISHED FLAT ANKLE STRAP Sandals Shoes 38
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. see description for details.
- Seller Location:Zürich, CH
- 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: Zürich, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN black CROCODILE ROLANDO Platform Pumps Shoes 38.5By Christian LouboutinLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Christian Louboutin Rolando platform pumps in black alligator with almond toe shape. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. Bl...Category
2010s Shoes
- VALENTINO black leather 03 ROSE EDITION ATELIER Slides Sandals Shoes 38.5By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Valentino Garavani Atelier Shoe 03 Rose Edition black kidskin flat slide sandal with footbed. Upper embellished with different sized leather petals, creating a 3D rose...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- MARNI black leather CRYSTAL EMBELLISHED Flat Sandals Shoes 39By MarniLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Marni flats sandals in black & espresso brown leather embellished with clear crystals. Brand new. Measurements Imprinted Size 39 Shoe Size 39 Inside Sole 26cm (10.1i...Category
2010s Sandals
- SAINT LAURENT black velvet LOU LOU 70 STAR STUDDED Sandals Shoes 37By Saint LaurentLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Saint Laurent Lou Lou 70 mules in black velvet embellished with silver-tone metal stars. Have been worn once and are in virtually ...Category
2010s Shoes
- CHANEL black suede & grey knit 2021 21S SOCK HIGH TOP Sneakers Shoes 38By ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel 2021 lace-up high-top sock sneakers in black suede, rubber and anthracite rib knit set on a white rubber sole. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- GIANVITO ROSSI navy blue satin VERSILIA 60 Sandals Shoes 38By Gianvito RossiLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Gianvito Rossi Versilia 60 sandals in navy blue satin with a single band across the toe and an ankle strap. Have been worn once or twice and are in excellent condition...Category
2010s Shoes
- VERSACE black leather sandals with metallic stiletto heel Sz 41By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Black leather ankle strap sandals Finished with metallic stiletto heel IT Size 41 Made in Italy Brand new. In VERSACE box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Stuart Weitzman Black Suede Embellished Boots Size IT 39By Stuart WeitzmanLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to boots is evident. Minimal wear to the left boot heel with abrasions to the suede on this used Stuart Weitzman designer resale item. Details B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Boots
- Vivienne Westwood 'Cut, Slash & Pull' Open Toe High Sole Platforms, Circa 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBcA Pair of Vivienne Westwood high-soled open toe platform shoes covered in black satin with regular cuts throughout the surface, 'Cut, Slash & Pull' collection, spring-summer 1991.Category
1990s British Shoes
- Ralph Lauren Black Glitter Pointed Toe Pumps Size 37By Ralph LaurenLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Add a subtle touch of glam to your look by donning these glitter pumps. This pair of Ralph Lauren pumps are more than just a basic fashion statement. They come with pointed toes and ...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- new CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Louis Orlato black spike stud strass high top EU42By Christian LouboutinLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Louis Orlato black spike stud strass high top EU42 Reference: TGAS/B01654 Brand: Christian Louboutin Design...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Salvatore Ferragamo Black Leather Gancini Buckle Block Heel Pumps Size 38.5By Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Endless compliments will come your way every time you wear these Salvatore Ferragamo pumps. The black pumps are crafted from leather and styled with almond toes, the signature Gancin...Category
2010s Italian Heels