Azzedine Alaia Fall 1989 Vintage Black Lamb Suede Cropped Runway Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: See Description (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. a small rub spot to suede - see photo.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:
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: Beaverton, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Vintage Tan Kimono With Purple and Red Lamé Circles Dots & Pink LiningLocated in Portland, ORWe love vintage kimonos and this is a really wonderful one! This tan kimono has red and purple lamé circles or dots throughout. This raw silk kimono has pink silk lining at the top ...Category
20th Century Japanese Loungewear
- 1980s Christian Lacroix Green Wool Double Breasted Jacket w/ Black Velvet CollarBy Christian LacroixLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Edwardian inspired Christian Lacroix jacket is incredible! We love the rich green wool fabric and pointed black velvet collar. The jacket is double breasted with black ...Category
1980s Italian Double-Breasted Jackets
- Anne Klein for Robinson & Golluber Vintage Red Felted Mohair Blend Cape W HoodBy Anne KleinLocated in Portland, ORThis is a late 1970's or early 1980's gorgeous rich red mohair blend cape with a hood from Anne Klein for Robinson & Golluber. The cape closes at the neck with a single wood button ...Category
1980s American Capes
- 3pc Jaeger Burgundy Velvet Jacket w/ Printed Wool Blouse Top With & Skirt SuitBy JaegerLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautifully made Jaeger 3 piece outfit in rich Autumnal/Winter hues. We love the deep red velvet jacket and the gorgeous print of the blouse ...Category
1980s British Skirt Suits
- Valentino Boutique Vintage Black Boucle Skirt Suit With 2 Blazers Solid & PlaidBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Valentino Boutique Collectible skirt suit ensemble comes with 2 different blazer options. This includes a vintage Valentino black boucle wool skirt and both a black bouc...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- Vintage Escada Margaretha Ley Red Mohair Alpaca Wool Coat With PocketsBy Escada, Escada Margaretha LeyLocated in Portland, ORWe love this incredible red oversized Escada vintage coat, designed by Margaretha Ley. The red blend 30% Lama 25% New Wool 25% Alpaca 20% Mohair. is slightly felted and textured. Thi...Category
1980s German Coats
- Dolce & Gabbana Blazer Paisley Floral Patchwork Corduroy JacketBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana Blazer Paisley Floral Patchwork Corduroy Jacket Fitted blazer, with Groovy 70s Inspire Print CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of na...Category
Early 2000s Blazers
- Moschino Blazer Blue Satin Square JacketBy MoschinoLocated in London, GBMoschino Blazer Blue Satin Square Jacket CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. However in good general conditi...Category
Early 2000s Blazers
- Kenzo vintage dragon print jacketBy KenzoLocated in London, GBKenzo vintage dragon print jacket condition: this item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. however in good general condition size ...Category
1990s Cropped Jackets
- RENATO NUCCI vintage baroque silk Blazer, c. 90sLocated in Genève, CHFabulous jacket made of silk fabric with a navy/gold with burgundy touches baroque print. Closed by 2 buttons (other 2 replacement buttons) and 2 frontal pocket, as the jacket is in ...Category
1980s French Blazers
- NEW 1980 ESCADA statement velvet embroidered jacketBy Margaretha Ley Escada, Escada Margaretha LeyLocated in Genève, CHNever worn (with tag and original price 1460 CHF) rare Escada by Margaretha Ley statement velvet jacket with embedded rhinestones. Edges of this jacket are elaborated with pink sati...Category
1980s German Jackets
- JUNYA WATANABE POUR COMME DES GARÇONS pink tweed Jacket, c. 2000By Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons, Comme des GarçonsLocated in Genève, CHJunya Watanabe x Comme des Garcons pink tweed jacket, beautifully made and structured (detailed sleeve ends, 2 frontal buttons to change fitting shape, collar, interior finishes...)....Category
Early 2000s Japanese Blazers