Alaia Leopard Print Knit Pencil Skirt, Fall-Winter 1991-1992
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 21.3 in (54.11 cm)Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Geneva, 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: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Versace Couture Light Wool Baroque Print SkirtBy VersaceLocated in Geneva, CHA recognizable pleated skirt by Versace Couture. Fits approx. : US 2-6 / FR 36-38 Measurements : Waist approx. 71 cm (28 inches) Total length (waist to bottom) approx. 48 cm ...Category
1990s Italian Pleated Skirts
- Pierre Balmain (Attributed to) Haute Couture A-Line DressBy Pierre BalmainLocated in Geneva, CHLate sixties wool and silk snakeskin like dress, attributed to Pierre Balmain haute couture. Lovely A-line cut, "tie collar" and zipped back. Fully lined in refined black silk, the d...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1950’s Haute Couture Tapestry Beaded DressLocated in Geneva, CHA rare example of 50’s Egyptian haute couture, at the time Egypt was a constitutional monarchy, this feminine “Miss Egypt” dress is crafted in a flowery ta...Category
1950s Egyptian Cocktail Dresses
- Rare Yves Saint Laurent Butterfly Print Blouse, Fall-Winter 1971-1972By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHVery rare 70’s burnt orange YSL refined natural silk stand-up collar blouse. Unusual colorful butterfly print. Labelled a French size 38 (US 4-6), the blouse runs a bit small to size...Category
1970s French Balloon Sleeve Blouses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Ruffles DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Geneva, CH2007 was the year Jean Paul Gaultier celebrated 30 years of fashion. His Spring-Summer ready-to-wear fashion show opened with an euphoric retrospective of the most iconic designs he ...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Satin & Lace Gathered Bustier Corset Top, Circa 2001By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Geneva, CHProbably from the iconic 2001 Spring-Summer collection, this Dolce & Gabbana corset bustier top will for sure enhance your femininity ! Made from glossy powder pink satin, it's desig...Category
Early 2000s Italian Bustiers
- Dries Van Noten Bronze Gold Striped Cotton Blend Maxi Skirt SBy Dries van NotenLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2You can add this elegant Dries Van Noten skirt for when you want to make a statement in an understated way. Made from a cotton blend, it has a bow detail at the back and it is gorgeo...Category
2010s French Skirts
- EMILIO PUCCI c.1969 Multicolor Signature Print Op Art A-Line Pleated Mini SkirtBy Emilio PucciLocated in Thiensville, WIBrand / Manufacturer: Emilio Pucci Circa: 1969 Designer: Emilio Pucci Style: Mini Skirt Color(s): Shades of green, pink, purple, white, black Lined: No Marked Fabric Content: "100% cotton" (primary fabric) Additional Details / Inclusions: Emilio Pucci circa 1969 mini skirt. Structured material, little to no stretch or give to fabric. A-line silhouette to skirt. Banded waistband. Vertical stripe down center front leading to matching banding around hemline; mirrors on back of skirt. Darts extend from waistband on back of skirt for shaping. Big box...Category
1960s Italian A-Line Skirts
- 1980s Christian Aujard Floral Cotton Country Print SkirtLocated in London, GBThis early 1980s Christian Aujard skirt is constructed from a thick, high quality cotton fabric in a classic wrap over style silhouette. It is pleated on either side of the hip which...Category
1970s French Pleated Skirts
- S/S 2003 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Runway Dusty Lavender Ruched SkirtBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a dusty lavender stretch viscose blend skirt designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche's Spring/Summer 2003 collection. The beige/taupe version of this skirt...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Kenzo Jungle by Kenzo multicoloured SkirtBy KenzoLocated in Capri, ITKenzo Jungle by Kenzo multicoloured Skirt Totally made in france in size standard M Composition: acetate and othersCategory
1980s French Skirts
- Philipp Plein red roses skirtBy Philipp PleinLocated in Capri, ITPhilipp Plein red roses skirt size S / 38 IT total lenght 47 cm waist 68 cmCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Skirts