Iconic Alaia Black Leather Fringe Belt Ca. 2001
View Similar Items
Iconic Alaia Black Leather Fringe Belt Ca. 2001
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 15 in (38.1 cm)Marked Size: 70 (EU)Waist: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3572572403
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.
- 1970's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Haute Couture Leather BeltBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Yves Saint Laurent haute couture white leather belt with black leather design. Belt attaches at either end to a double cord closure. MEASUREMENTS: Length (of only the leather ...Category
1970s French Belts
- Manolo Blahnik Black Sequin Stretch Thigh High High-Heeled Boots NBWBy Manolo BlahnikLocated in Studio City, CAManolo Blahnik black sequin thigh high boots with high heel. Boots are size 37 - they have never been worn. In excellent condition. Length - 20" (from top back heel to thigh top)Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Black Suede Thigh-High BootsBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Yves Saint Laurent YSL black suede boots that can be worn as either knee-high or thigh-high. Top of boot is finished with satin ribbon and decorative leather ties at back. Th...Category
1970s French Shoes
- Roger Vivier Black Satin Crystal Encrusted StilettoBy Roger VivierLocated in Studio City, CARoger Vivier black satin crystal encrusted heels with pointed toe and 3" heel height. In excellent condition with several bare areas on the bottom of the sole which are the result of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes
- Valentino Blue Navy Silk Gown w/Keyhole Neckline & Open BackBy ValentinoLocated in Studio City, CAValentino navy silk gown with blush pink trim at the neckline and with a keyhole opening, pleated skirt, self belt and open back. Size 40, 100% silk. In excellent condition. Please c...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Brown Lace BodysuitBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Studio City, CADolce & Gabbana brown stretch bodysuit with lace at the bust and center front panel. Bra straps are sizable, and there are hook and eye closures at the crotch. Size tag 44. Fabric is...Category
Early 2000s Italian Bodysuits
- ALAÏA SS 1992 teal laser cut leather runway BeltBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHThis teal belt dating from SS 1992 runway is an ideal way to incorporate one of Alaïa’s key codes into your everyday wardrobe. It's made from smooth leather, w...Category
1990s French Belts
- Roberto Cavalli Belt Animal Print 90sLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLThis one-of-a kind animal print belt designed by Roberto Cavalli often feature his signature style, which includes elements like animal prints. Anima...Category
1990s Italian Belts
- DOLCE & GABBANA black patent leather Thin Belt 80By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Dolce & Gabbana belt in black patent leather with a silver-tone metal buckle. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Comes with dust bag. Measurements Tag Size...Category
2010s Belts
- ALAIA black patent leather VIENNE WAVE CORSET WAIST Belt 80By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Alaïa 'Vienne Wave' perforated laser-cut waist belt in black patent-leather with one buckle closure in the middle. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Measu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belts
- ALAIA black PYTHON VIENNE WAVE CORSET WAIST Belt 85By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Alaïa perforated laser-cut waist belt in black python and leather with one buckle closure in the middle. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Measurements Ta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belts
- ALAIA black suede WHITE DOT DOUBLE STRAP WAISY Belt 75By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Alaïa double strap waist belt in black suede leather with white cut-out dots. The design features gunmetal buckles. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Meas...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belts