1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA charcoal studio jacket
View Similar Items
1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA charcoal studio jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 31 in (78.74 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU814159711
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.
- Azzedine Alaia black chenille runway sweater jacket, 1989By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black chenille sweater jacket designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to fall of 1989 exactly as seen on the runway. Size S. Approximate measurements: d...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1980's ANNE KLEIN navy wool jacket with jeweled Byzantine cross detailBy Anne KleinLocated in San Fransisco, CADark navy blue wool jacket with jeweled Byzantine-style cross detail by Anne Klein dating to the late 1980's. Labeled a size 4. Approximate measurements: bust 36", waist 30", arm len...Category
1980s North American Cropped Jackets
$175 Sale Price28% Off - 1980's YOHJI YAMAMOTO lightweight wool gabardine jacket with oversized buttonsBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in San Fransisco, CAWool gabardine jacket with oversized buttons designed by Yohji Yamamoto dating to the 1980's. Size S. Made in Japan. Excellent condition.Category
1980s Japanese Jackets
- 1960's PIERRE CARDIN black leather and brown shearling jacketBy Pierre CardinLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack leather and dark brown shearling coat from Pierre Cardin dating to the 1960's. Large brass O-ring zipper with silver square snap closure at bottom. Jacket would best a size med...Category
1960s Unknown Jackets
- BALENCIAGA by Demna Gvasalia black denim jacket with 'scarf' collar - NEWBy BalenciagaLocated in San Fransisco, CAUnworn, long sleeve denim jacket in 'simple stonewash' black with scarf tie at collar designed by Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga. Labeled a French size 3...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- 1980's YVES SAINT LAURENT navy cropped jacket embroidered with soutache & beadsBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Fransisco, CANavy-blue, cropped linen jacket with embroidered soutache and bugle beads designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to the early 1980's. Labeled a French 34 although this best fits a US ...Category
1980s French Cropped Jackets
$350 Sale Price41% Off
- Dolce & Gabbana lamé brocade double-breasted blazer jacket, ss 1993By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana multicoloured double-breasted blazer jacket ▪ The textile consists of a patchwork of colourful lamé brocades and floral jacquards ▪ Large antique-style metal butto...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- Issey Miyake black nylon oversized parachute coat, fw 1987By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBIssey Miyake; Black nylon oversized parachute coat with batwing sleeves and two front pockets Fall-Winter 1987Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- F/W 2000 Roberto Cavalli Python Leather Fur Biker Jacket Python Accents VintageBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting this extravagant Roberto Cavalli biker jacket. This piece features black leather, python, fur, and pony hair working in harmony. The jacket debuted on look 34 on the Rober...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Leather Sleeveless Top G LogoBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare leather tank top by Tom Ford for Gucci. This piece and features the classic Tom Ford 'G' medallion that was heavily featured in the ...Category
1990s Italian Tank Tops
- Thom Browne Grey XS Velvet Collar Classic Chesterfield Overcoat Jacket CoatBy Thom BrowneLocated in Downey, CAThom Browne Grey XS Velvet Collar Classic Chesterfield Overcoat Jacket Coat This classic Thom Browne wool peacoat is a timeless investment piece for you wardrobe. Crafted out of a p...Category
2010s Italian Overcoats
- Thom Browne Blue XS Classic Chesterfield FW18 Cavalry Twill Overcoat Jacket CoatBy Thom BrowneLocated in Downey, CAThom Browne Blue XSClassic Chesterfield FW18 Cavalry Twill Overcoat Jacket Coat This classic Thom Browne wool peacoat is a timeless investment piece for...Category
2010s Italian Overcoats