1990S Azzedine Alaia Grey Wool Knit Backless Long-Sleeve Bodysuit
View Similar Items
1990S Azzedine Alaia Grey Wool Knit Backless Long-Sleeve Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (US)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 9ON439461stDibs: LU161214123662
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.
- 1940S Burgundy Rayon Geometric Printed Mens RobeLocated in New York, NY1940S Burgundy Rayon Geometric Printed Mens RobeCategory
1940s Robes
- 1990S Burnt Sienna Bias Cut Rayon Jacquard 1930S Style Slip DressLocated in New York, NY1990S Burnt Sienna Bias Cut Rayon Jacquard 1930S Style Slip DressCategory
1990s Slips
- 1950S Burgundy Paisley Rayon Robe Made In EnglandBy Christian DiorLocated in New York, NY1950S Burgundy Paisley Rayon Robe Made In EnglandCategory
1950s French Robes
- 1920S Maroon Silk Jaquard Antique Mens RobeLocated in New York, NY1920S Maroon Silk Jaquard Antique Mens RobeCategory
1920s Robes
- 1990S ROCHAS Burgundy & Dark Teal Silk CorsetLocated in New York, NY1990S ROCHAS Burgundy & Dark Teal Silk CorsetCategory
1990s Corsets
- 1930S Brown & Burgundy Paisley Rayon Jacquard Rare Button Robe With Silk SatinLocated in New York, NY1930S Brown & Burgundy Paisley Rayon Jacquard Rare Button Robe With Silk Satin TrimCategory
1930s Robes
- John Galliano red lycra bodysuit c.1990By John GallianoLocated in London, GBRed bodysuit by John Galliano circa 1990Category
1990s British Bodysuits
- Fringe Gold Sequin Vintage Show BraLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis bra is made from gold color sequins and fringe, Its in good condition with minimum wear of use. Size 80 cm/ 31.49 inch Please note that vintage items are not new and therefore ...Category
20th Century Bras
$484 Sale Price20% Off - NEW La Perla Nude Top Boned Corset Corsage Bustier Strapless Shapewear 34D 75DBy La PerlaLocated in Switzerland, CHNEW LA PERLA CORSAGE CORSET TOP WEAR THIS AMAZING CORSET WITH ANY SHEER TOP, DRESS OR UNDER A JACKET OR CARDIGAN! SO VERSATILE! FOR A PERFECTLY SHAPED BODY La Perla Tulle bustier ...Category
2010s Italian Corsets
- Taupe Textured Jacquard Haori Half-Kimono Tie Front Lingerie Jacket - M-L, 1960sLocated in Tucson, AZSometimes called iro muji, short kimonos can act as lingerie cover-ups as well as lightweight blouses or jackets. In a versatile putty color, this unusual version features rich textu...Category
1960s Japanese Robes
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER S/S 91 Vintage Python Bustier / CorsetBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Berlin, BEIncredible rare vintage Jean Paul Gaultier bustier from his Spring Summer 1991 collection. Known for his iconic corsets and bustiers, Jean Paul Gaultier has empowered women with these fashion-staples since the early 1980s. This rare long-line bustier is made from a shining pink coloured snakeskin and features cut-out cages at each side. It feature a double line eye and hook closure at the back so it can be adjusted to fit perfectly. There is no size label, fits like an S. It fits best a 34 C (would also fit a D cup or larger B cup), please contact us with any questions regarding the size. Measurements: Under-bust (across) : 41cm Waist (across) : 33.5cm Please note that this is a vintage designer item...Category
1990s French Corsets
- Torso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered BeltBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations 2-Piece Apron-Front Sari Caftan w Mirrored and Embroidered Belt: Silk sari is ombre from mauve to silver gray. Deco-patterned lame fabric trim. Sari has open side sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Caftans
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.
After Centuries, the Kimono’s Influence on Fashion Is Still Strong
We talked to museum curators and fashion experts to find out how and why the kimono has remained endlessly fascinating for more than 1,000 years.