AZZEDINE ALAÏA FW 1987 Grey Runway Leather Corset Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR38 (EU)Bust: 17.92 in (45.5 cm)Waist: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Berlin, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2643220374012
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: Berlin, Germany
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- JOHN GALLIANO F/W 2017 Contemporary Tailored BlazerBy John GallianoLocated in Berlin, BEElegant and versatile polkadot blazer by John Galliano from their Fall Winter 2017 collection. A true wardrobe staple, This versatile piece is made from a soft wool with a chic micr...Category
2010s French Blazers
- CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE F/W2019 Rare Runway Snakeskin Print Leather JacketBy CelineLocated in Berlin, BEOutstanding rare leather blouson by Celine from their F/W 2019 collection. This brown snakeskin print jacket is a variation of the runway look 24 - the runway version with epaulettes...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage 1990’s Green Floral Jacquard JacketBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Berlin, BEYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Vintage 1990’s Floral Jacquard Jacket Brand: Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Designer: Yves Saint Laurent Collection / Year: 1990s Fabric: Acetate / Me...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Azzedine Alaïa Vintage S/S 1992 Runway Coral Corset Jacket DocumentedBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Berlin, BEIconic documented vintage Azzedine Alaïa Spring Summer 1992 runway corset jacket in the most beautiful rare coral colour! AS seen on the Spring Summer 1992 runway show and worn by model Beverly Peele for Vogue issue...Category
1990s French Blazers
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE S/S 2014 Gold Lamé Blazer 44By Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESaint Laurent by Hedi Slimane S/S 2014 Metallic Gold Blazer Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: S/S 2014 Fabric: Outer: Lamé (Silk / Polyester blend). Li...Category
2010s French Blazers
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter BlazerBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESAINT LAURENT by HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter Blazer Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2015 Fabric: Wool / Cupro / Silk Color: Black Siz...Category
2010s French Blazers
- Giorgio Armani Pearl Grey Jacket Size 44 EU NewBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in New York, NYSoft and luxurious Giorgio Armani pearl grey jacket , new with tags. Beautifully tapered to fit the body. The jacket features a notched lapel collar, and three matte buttons down the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary 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
- 1980's Sonia Rykiel France Evening Wear Lightweight Silk Velvet Lame DusterBy Sonya RykielLocated in Tustin, CAExquisite 1980's evening wear coat, jacket, blazer or duster is lightweight, vented and easy to wear for dining, parties and dancing, with an animal patterned, soft silk velvet and s...Category
1980s French Single-Breasted Jackets
- Sexy German Christine Vogdt 1970s Lynx Fur Stroller Length Coat US Size 8 MediumLocated in Tustin, CAWild and exotic, this vintage, spotted lynx fur coat or jacket from the 1970s, in excellent condition, makes a bold fashion statement from internationally renowned German fashion designer/artist, Christine Vogdt...Category
1970s German 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
- Rare ESKANDAR NWT Binish Jacket VIRGIN WOOL LINEN Paisley Black Size 1By EskandarLocated in Asheville, NCEskandar, 2018 Collection, Binish Jacket, Decorative Metal Buttons, Two Front Pockets, One Extra Button, Paisley Design inside Collar and at the Cuff, Made in Poland, Drop Shoulder, ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Jackets