ALAIA black and creme suede ankle boots
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 39 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:suede, leather, patent leather.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. see pictures attached for flaws.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4262208983
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: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- CHANEL Black and Clear Platform SandalsBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Beverly Hills, CA2000s CHANEL clear and black platform sandals Size: 39Category
Early 2000s French Shoes
- Vintage 1980s Bill Blass Red and Black One Shoulder Sequin GownBy Bill BlassLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1980s Bill Blass Red and Black One Shoulder Sequin Gown sequin one gown with slit on the side. Sexy and Fun Vintage cocktail dress. B:...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- Vintage JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Black V Neck Fitted DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1990s Jean Paul Gaultier Fitted Black Halter V neck Dress. Front zipper with adjustable velcro belt at the back. Dress has some strecth. Fit size 2/4 Small Bust: 32 inch - 34 inch Wa...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1960s Black and Yellow Flower Print Brocade CoatLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s Cocktail Coat in Yellow gold flower print in black brocade. Size: LargeCategory
1960s American Coats and Outerwear
- Vintage Saint Laurent Black and Yellow Print Silk Wrap DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage Yves Saint Laurent black , Yellow and white flower petal silk wrap dress with puffy sleeves and V neck. marked size: 38 France Bust: 36-38/ wais...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- Viktor Rolf Black Bodysuit with shoulder padsBy Viktor & RolfLocated in Beverly Hills, CAViktor & Rolf Black Tulle Bodysuit with shoulder pads Never wornCategory
2010s French Tankinis
- Balenciaga Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Black 35 FRBy BalenciagaLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBalenciaga Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Black Brand: Balenciaga Product: Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Size: 35 Fr Colour: Black With Crysta...Category
2010s Shoes
- Vintage 1970's Red Yellow Stripe Black Vinyl Glam Rock Platform Knee-High BootsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAmazing 1970's British glam rock black leather boots in the most incredible ruby-red and yellow bold vinyl stripe design. These boots have an inch stacked wooden base platform with a...Category
1970s English Boots
- Vintage 1970s Karina of Spain Floral Applique Black Leather Knee-High Mod BootsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAmazing early 1970's Karina of Spain designer black leather boots with the most incredible floral swirl applique work! These boots have a unique scalloped edging which works so well with the vibe. I love the shaped heel and seductive knee-high design. Boots like these will leave people speechless wherever you walk! Measurements Women US Size: 7.5-8 Ball of Foot: 3 inches Heel Length: 2 inches Shoe Height:17 inches These Karina of Spain designer boots...Category
1970s Spanish Boots
- Jimmy Choo Black Satin Shoes Rhinestones Feathers Heels Size 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in Portland, ORThese black satin Jimmy Choo shoes are perfect for the holidays! These designer heels have pretty black feathers and rhinestones and are labeled a size ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Vintage Horsebit Gucci Shoes in Black Suede Size 7.5 With BoxBy FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThese black suede vintage Gucci shoes have the classic silver horse bit buckles and are marked a size 7 and 1/2 B. The calf suede shoes come with ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Karl Lagerfeld 1990s Size 6 Black Suede Leather Bondage Inspired Vintage HeelsBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in San Diego, CACollectible vintage 90s KARL LAGERFELD black suede leather bondage inspired high heel shoes! Features three straps across the ankle with elastic at each side. Gold logo encrusted stu...Category
1990s Italian High Heels