AZZEDINE ALAIA honey-comb woven dress with scalloped neck and fluted hem
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 40 in (101.6 cm)Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Hip: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content: 75% viscose, 15% polyester and 10% nylon.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU816083762
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: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- YVES SAINT LAURENT by Stefano Pilati black draped caftan dressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black caftan dress with draped sides at designed by Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent dating to spring of 2009' Labeled a French size XXS although this dress is ver...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Gowns
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI brown velvet dress with asymmetrical hemlineBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown velvet dress with v-neck and asymmetrical hemline from Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Fits a size 6 or 8. Approximate measurements: shoulde...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- 1960's JACQUES HEIM black silk dress with sheer mousseline overlayBy Jacques HeimLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack silk dress with sheer mousseline overlay designed by Jacques Heim made by Maria carine dating to the 1960's. Fits a US 4 or 6. Approximate measureme...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black sleeveless dress with ruffled hemlineBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare jet black dress with scalloped trim and semi sheer skirt with decorative diamond embroidered hemline from Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 1990's, Dress is labeled a size...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- rare AZZEDINE ALAIA black 'Plissé Abeille' hand pleated dress - unwornBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, knit 'Plissé Abeille' dress from Azzedine Alaia dating to 2014 and seen on the runway. Dress is labeled a French size 38. Approximate un-stretched measurements: shoulder ...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- CEIL CHAPMAN beaded gownLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, gorgeous black bugle beaded gown from Ceil Chapman. Ca. 1960. Zips up back. US size 2/4. Very good condition. Some light fraying at back side o...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- DOLCE&GABBANA Black and Beige Silk Dress with Adjustable Straps | Size 8US 40EUBy Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Cuggiono, MIThis babydoll dress is made of a black silk chiffon fabric and it is fully lined with a silk beige crepe de chine. It features a full circle skirt, a pair of adjustable straps and a ...Category
2010s Italian Babydoll Dresses
- Herve Leger "Belina" Black Asymmetric Fringe Eyelet Strapless Bandage Dress NWTBy Herve Leger by Max Azria, Herve LégerLocated in Chicago, ILHerve Leger "Belina" black asymmetric fringe metal eyelet strapless bandage mini dress. New with tags (MSRP: $1,990). Tight, sturdy and durable construction, built to showcase your c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Cocktail Dresses
- Thierry Mugler Rhinestone Stone Strass Diamond Evenening Couture Runway DressBy Thierry Mugler CoutureLocated in PARIS, FRThierry Mugler Rhinestone Stone Strass Diamond Evenening Couture Runway Gown Wasp Waist Bee Black Vintage Paris France 90s Fringe Small Medium Large ...Category
1990s French Evening Gowns