Azzedine Alaia apricot acetate stirrup pant suit, fw 1985
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140211685922
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.
- Comme des Garçons lurex voile lace wrap dress and skirt set, fw 1999By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GB▪ Comme des Garçons dress and skirt set ▪ Lurex voile lace in brown, silver and cream ▪ Mid-length wrap dress ▪ Large turn-over collar ▪ Two large safety pin...Category
1990s Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano brown tooled leather pant suit, ss 2006By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano brown tooled and laser cut leather flared pant suit. Spring-Summer 2006Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set, ss 2002By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GB▪ Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set ▪ Vest with ruched back and bust panels ▪ Mid-length skirt with ruched seams and handkerchief hemline ▪ JP 3 / EU + US M...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Prada Taupe silk organza fairy pant suit, ss 2008By PradaLocated in London, GBPrada; Taupe silk organza pant suit with printed illustrations by James Jean. Loosely cut transparent blouse with black ribbon trim, choker, fabric button fastenings and caplet. Slim...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood mens tan ruffled pant suit, ss 1997By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood men's tan polyester pant suit with playing card symbols print. Wide leg pants with elastic waistband and ruffled shirt. Spring...Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Whims of California Two Piece Pants & Maxi Vest Dress, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAThis two piece pants and maxi vest by Whims of California has all the bells and whistles for chic 1960's party attire. The 100% cotton construction has the appearance of painted or ...Category
1960s American Trouser Pant Suits
- S/S 1991 Gianni Versace Marilyn Monroe Pop Art Warhol Skirt SuitBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCGianni Versace Couture skirt suit in excellent condition from Spring Summer 1991 featuring an Andy Warhol inspired pop art motif of pop culture icons Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. ...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- CHANEL- 98A 3 Piece Set - Boucle Hat / Jacket / Skirt - Mulberry - Size 40 US 8By ChanelLocated in Sanford, FLCHANEL- 98A 3 Piece Set - Boucle Hat / Jacket / Skirt - Mulberry - Size 40 US 8 Description * Fall 1998 Collection * This 3 piece suit is crafted in a rich mulberry soft boucle. * ...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Missoni, Museum Documented Ensemble, Camisole, Skirt and Cardigan, 1973By MissoniLocated in Kingston, NYMissoni, circa 1973 (verified), three (3) piece knit ensemble. Ribbed cream v-neck camisole and long skirt with long sleeve multi-color rayon and cotton knit cardigan with patch pockets. Label "Missoni Made in Italy" *Additional museum inventory tags with origin and date of ensemble.* Sz 40 Sweater open B 34...Category
1970s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gold skirt - suit "Egyptomania" Chanel Métiers d'Art ( Lesage embroidery) 2018By ChanelLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGold skirt - suit . Shoulder-pads and chain inside the jacket. Branded buttons. Wrap skirt. Fabric composition: 58% polyester, 35% rayon, 4% cotton, 2% po...Category
2010s French Skirt Suits
- Gold lycra skirt suit Moschino Circa 1980'sBy MoschinoLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGold lycra skirt suit. Shoulder pad. Sleeves and shoulders lining, piping else where inside. Zip in the front and on the pockets. SIZE LCategory
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
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.