Alaia Ruffled Striped Cotton Maxi Dress FR40
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brossard, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2546217412632
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: Brossard, Canada
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Nina Ricci White Cotton Blend Lace Dress FR36By Nina RicciLocated in Brossard, QCLined with silk for a luxurious feel, nina ricci's cotton-blend lace dress is a fantasy of a frock. The snow-white colour, flocks of texture at the hem and a-line silhouette make it...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Gucci Long Square G Lamé Dress size MBy GucciLocated in Brossard, QCBrown polo collar Front button placket Long sleeves Drawstring waist Pleat detailing Sllover Square G pattern Made in Italy Composition: Viscose 80%, Metallic Fibre 20% Fits true to ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Maxi Dresses
- Alex Perry Jade Sequin-embellished Structured Mini Dress sz AU 10 US6Located in Brossard, QCFollow us on Insta @runwaycatalog Neon-pink Jade sequin-embellished structured mini dress Sequin embroidery Twisted detail Round neck Long sleeve...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Gucci Wool Lamé Floral Jacquard DressBy GucciLocated in Brossard, QCGreen and gold floral patterned wool is punctuated by lamé detail on this front tie gown. Rich in pattern and decoration Green and gold wool lamé floral jacquard...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alex Perry Dallas Fringed-Sleeve GownLocated in Brossard, QCDallas fringed-sleeve gown Black Dallas fringed-sleeve gown from Alex Perry featuring structured shoulders, fringe details, a square neck, darts to the ches...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Gucci Green Floral Check-Print Ruffled Silk-Crepe Gown IT40By GucciLocated in Brossard, QCOrnamental green silk-crepe gown, capturing the Gucci's talent for richly textured and patterned eveningwear. Depicting contrasting florals, graphic checks and the house's signature...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
- Jacques Lelong 1980s White Leather Studded DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the glamour of the 1980s with our Jacques Lelong White Leather Studded Dress—a striking and captivating piece that effortlessly combines bold s...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano grey checked Blanche Dubois bustled coat dress, ss 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London; grey Prince of Wales check coat dress. Bustled skirt falling in polonaise drapes, gathering into a band at the hem, can be button...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yohji Yamamoto white cotton maxi dress with nylon t-shirt, c. 1990sBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB- 2 side pockets - Maxi length - Stretch nylon T-shirt at front c. 1990sCategory
1990s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- McQ by Alexander McQueen Pink and Blue Crocodile Patterned Jacquard Fit and FlarBy McQ Alexander McQueenLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Worn by countless celebrities worldwide and much loved by fashion enthusiasts, McQ by Alexander is a label that stays true to its edgy, unique and bold designs. This sleeveless dress...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Peter Pilotto Multicolor Digital Print Belted Sheath Dress MBy Peter PilottoLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designed by Peter Pilotto, this sheath dress was launched as part of the Fall 2013 collection. Featuring a digital print, the multicolor creation comes with a belted detail, short sl...Category
2010s British Sheath Dresses