Vintage Alaia BodyCon Dress w/Deep V-Neck & Mutton Sleeves
View Similar Items
Vintage Alaia BodyCon Dress w/Deep V-Neck & Mutton Sleeves
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 2, 4, 6 (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:There are a few minor abrasions to the fabric, either a repair or run on the right sleeve as show in one of the images and some faint marks in the fabric that may go away once on the body or at the dry cleaners which has not been attempted.
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU131126357108
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.
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Black Silk Crepe Evening Gown w/Crystal Button RosettesBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CALate 1970's/early 80's Yves Saint Laurent black silk crepe evening gown with long sleeves, slits up both sides and decorative crystal buttons at the arms and sleeves. In excellent co...Category
20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Black Silk Chiffon Evening Gown No.173.195By Pierre BalmainLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Pierre Balmain haute couture No. 173.195 black silk chiffon halter neck evening gown with ties at the back neck, a high-low ruffled hemline, an interior silk bustier w/boning...Category
20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1920s Maria Gallenga Couture Metallic Stencilled Velvet Novelty GownBy Maria GallengaLocated in Studio City, CA1920's Maria Gallenga couture velvet novelty gown printed with a stenciled silver and copper/gold repeating pattern depicting mythical creatures. The floor length gown features drama...Category
20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990s Versace Couture Black Party Dress w/Medusa ButtonsBy VersaceLocated in Studio City, CA1990's Versace couture label black mini dress with boning at the bodice and transparent "Medusa" buttons at the straps. In excellent condition. No size ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Circa 2005 Azzedine Alaia Black Evening Dress GownBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Studio City, CACirca 2005 Azzedine Alaia black fitted evening gown with zipper closure up the back. At the back skirt there are slight gathers as well as a nude-...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Jersey Deep V-Neck Dress w/Deep V-Neck & Coral ClosureBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CAYves Saint Laurent black silk jersey deep v-neck cocktail dress with oversized clasped coral & rhinestone closure at front. In excellent condition. Size ta...Category
20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection / Year: 2018 Fabric: Viscose / Silk Color: Red Size: ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
- Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold, this original 1930's satin dress rendered in the most sumptuous shade of amber satin, is the perfect statement piece for your special occasion wardrobe. The rou...Category
1930s Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's yellow sequin beaded cocktail dress wiggle dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's yellow knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with clear iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details in yellow rocaille beads, and i...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Duchess Satin Sweet Pink Pleated Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBA true beauty to behold. This original 1950's duchess satin dress, rendered in a soft shade of sweet pink and accented by the most divine pleat wor...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses