AZZEDINE ALAIA black laser cut belt
View Similar Items
AZZEDINE ALAIA black laser cut belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 65 (EU)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:
- Material Notes:laser cut leather
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU130722812160
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.
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA darkest green leather belt with brass hardwareBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CADarkest green leather belt with brass hardware designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. French size 70. Holes fall at approximately: 26", ...Category
1990s French Belts
- 1996 TOM FORD for GUCCI black spazzalato leather belt with gilt buckleBy Tom Ford, GucciLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, documented, plum silk 'obi' belt with black braided leather ties designed by Tom Ford for Gucci dating to fall of 2002. Also, as features in the fall ad campaign. Belt me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Belts
- 1990's DRIES VAN NOTEN black leather corset beltBy Dries van NotenLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black leather belt with lace up corset detailing designed by Dries Van Noten dating to the late 1990's. Size 70. Belt measures approximately: just under 5.5" at widest and...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Belts
- 1990's GIANNI VERSACE black leather belt with silver Medusa heads & Greek keyBy Gianni VersaceLocated in San Fransisco, CATextured black leather belt with Greek key stamping and cutouts with silver-tone Medusa heads designed by Gianni Versace dating to the 1990's. Belt is labeled a size 70. Belt holes f...Category
1990s French Belts
- AZZEDINE ALAIA brown sleek leather beltBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CASize 70. Fits a 25-28" waist. Hidden hardware. Made in France. Excellent/very good condition.Category
1980s French Belts
- 1989 YVES SAINT LAURENT brown suede belt with oversized gold studsBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Fransisco, CARich-brown suede belt with oversized shiny gilt studs from Yves Saint Laurent dating to 1989. Belt was featured in an Yves Saint Laurent ad as worn by Linda Evangelista. Belt measure...Category
1980s French Belts
- Chanel Gold-Tone Horse Riding Motif Medallion Necklace Belt, 1990sBy ChanelLocated in Praha 2, Hlavní město PrahaChanel gold-tone horse riding motif medallion necklace belt, made in France, 1990s. The belt is stamped. Very classic and great for everyday wear. Origin: France Size: total length ...Category
1990s French Belts
- Chanel Vintage CC Logo Medallion Gold-Tone Necklace Belt, France, 1990sBy ChanelLocated in Praha 2, Hlavní město PrahaChanel gold-tone triple “necklace” belt featuring a CC logo medallion, made in France, 1990s. The belt is stamped. Very classic and great for everyday ...Category
1990s French Belts
- Coco Chanel Early Poured Glass Sea Serpent BeltBy ChanelLocated in Riverdale, NYCoco Chanel Early Poured Glass Haute Couture Belt. Designed as a series of swag chains with emerald poured glass stations. Classically Baroque in the Chanel idiom with sea serpent...Category
1960s French Baroque Revival Belts
- CoCo Chanel Haute Couture Lion BeltBy ChanelLocated in Riverdale, NYCoCo Chanel early chain belt composed of signature curb chain with classic signature lions head motifs terminating in an adjustable pendant tassel. Coco Chanel synthesizes her favor...Category
1960s French Belts
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana crystal pearl chain beltBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHVintage Dolce & Gabbana Pearl and Crystal Embellished Belt Vintage Dolce & Gabbana Pearl and Crystal Embellished Belt Measures 85см with 14 cm adjusted chain New Excellent conditio...Category
Early 2000s Belts
- Hermès Piano Belt in Leather and CanvasBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLHermès Piano Belt in Leather and Canvas. The canvas is in great shape and does not have any stains or odors. This stunning Piano belt has three gold buckl...Category
1940s French Belts