Azzedine Alaia black chenille double breasted jacket, fw 1992
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14029205412
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Alexander McQueen sequin 'Joan' jacket, fw 1998By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBIntroducing the Alexander McQueen Autumn-Winter 1998 'Joan' sequin jacket, a truly extraordinary piece that reflects the late designer's profound artistic vision and storytelling. This jacket is an homage to history, fully sequinned in a repetitive photographic print depicting the Romanov Princesses. Their tragic fate, marked by an extrajudicial killing by members of the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police, in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918, adds a powerful and thought-provoking narrative to the garment. With a zip closure, this jacket offers both style and convenience, reflecting McQueen's commitment to creating wearable yet deeply meaningful pieces. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of this Alexander McQueen jacket, a standout piece from the Autumn-Winter 1998 collection that embodies the essence of fashion as an art form. With its striking design and profound historical significance, this jacket promises to make a lasting impression, reflecting the brand's legacy of pushing boundaries and using...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Alaia black python waistcoat with lace up back fastening, Autumn-Winter 1990By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAlaia Autumn-Winter 1990 black python waistcoat with lace up back fasteningCategory
1990s Italian Jackets
- Alexander McQueen black pleated wool jacket, fw 2004By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBIntroducing an exquisite Alexander McQueen evening jacket from the pre-fall 2004 collection. This jacket is a true masterpiece, showcasing the brand's signature craftsmanship and design. Constructed in accordion pleated...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Martin Margiela grey wool deconstructed blazer jacket and apron set, fw 2003By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBPresenting an archival Martin Margiela wool apron and blazer jacket set, an exceptional ensemble from the Autumn-Winter 2003 collection that captures the brand's iconic deconstructed...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Alaia black goat hair cropped jacket, c. 2010By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBIntroducing the Azzedine Alaia black goat hair jacket, a luxurious and exquisite piece that exemplifies the designer's mastery in creating timeless an...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- Alexander McQueen purple silk taffeta evening jacket, fw 2007By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBIntroducing a captivating Alexander McQueen evening jacket from the autumn-winter 2007 collection. This jacket is a true representation of the brand's innovative design and luxurious...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Child's Vintage 1980's Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket Size 8Located in New York, NYVintage child's black leather motorcycle jacket , size 8. Authentic details feature zip front closure, zippered sleeve cuffs and side pockets, metal snap collar and front pocket. At...Category
1980s American Jackets
- Three Sam Kori Greorge Courture Atelier Boucle Jackets. Approximately size 12-14Located in Buchanan, MIThree Sam Kori Greorge Courture Atelier Boucle Jackets In The Style Of Chanel. Each is a wool boucle collarless jacket in blue, brown, and red. Priced per jacket. Approximately s...Category
20th Century American Single-Breasted Jackets
- Vintage Terry Paris Gold Medallion Leather Lace JacketLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLFabulous early 1990's Terry Paris Versace style jacket. Beautiful decorative goldtone medusa head medallions. Lace embellishment. Goldtone button closure a...Category
1990s French Jackets
- MUGLER 90S faux fur Biker jacketBy Mugler, Thierry MuglerLocated in Genève, CHMade of soft black faux fur fabric, this biker jacker has the emblematic sculpted Mugler’s shape. -Double breasted biker cut -Closed by six silver snap buttons embellished with a s...Category
1990s French Double-Breasted Jackets
- YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL Black Blazer with Dome ButtonsBy Christian DiorLocated in Genève, CHExclusive Yves Saint Laurent Variation black 100% "Fresco" summer wool jacket from the early 90s. Collarless, with large 5 gold dome shaped buttons down center and slash pockets on each hip. Both sleeves have three large dome buttons...Category
1990s French Blazers
- Rare Schiaparelli Black Quilted Faille Evening Cape, 1951By House of SchiaparelliLocated in New York, NYRare Schiaparelli Haute Couture Mandarin Black Quilted Faille Cape, 1951 Amazingly chic and modern quilted silk faille Haute Couture cape by Elsa Schiaparelli from the 1950's. M...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Capes
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.