Alaia White and Green Floral Paisley Flair Bottom Pencil Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 19 in (48.26 cm)Marked Size: FR 38 (EU)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU35421133832
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: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Chanel Purple Diamond Weave Pencil Skirt with Zig Zag Trim, 2001By ChanelLocated in San Francisco, CAChanel purple diamond weave pencil skirt with a strip of zig zag cut trim at front and back side. Purple printed silk with clover pattern from lining peeks out from beneath the zig z...Category
Early 2000s French Pencil Skirts
- Alexander McQueen 2003 Zipper Detail Pencil Skirt in Black and White TweedBy Alexander McQueenLocated in San Francisco, CAAlexander McQueen 2003 skirt in black and white tweed (reads a little grey to the eye.) . Back zip and hook and eye. Gold tone zips with leather...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Alexander McQueen Marble Print Pleated Midi Skirt with Suede Detail, 2017By Alexander McQueenLocated in San Francisco, CAAlexander McQueen midi length pleated skirt from the Pre-Fall 2017 collection. Designer Sarah Burton drew inspiration for the collection from Cornwall's moors, legends, and the lands...Category
2010s Italian Pleated Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent Black and White Geometric Print Silk Pencil Skirt YSLBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Francisco, CAYves Saint Laurent silk pencil skirt in a painterly black and white geometric print. Pockets at sides, side zip and button closure. 100% silk. Fully lined. Made in Italy. Size F...Category
2010s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Louis Vuitton Black Bustier Tank and Skirt Set with Bow Detail at ShouldersBy Louis VuittonLocated in San Francisco, CALouis Vuitton black shirt and skirt set. Tank features a bubble style hem and bows at each shoulder with pleat detailing at bust. Seam detail at back. Top fastens at back with hook a...Category
2010s French Skirts
- Oscar de la Renta Navy and Bright Blue Patchwork Tweed Pencil Skirt Resort 2012By Oscar De La RentaLocated in San Francisco, CAOscar de la Renta deep navy (almost black) and sky blue pencil skirt with tweed patchwork appliqué with sky blue and silver accents. Very slight asymmetric back hem due to the patchw...Category
2010s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Gucci pin denim wrap skirt indigo, ss 2000By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Tom Ford - Sold by Skof.Archive - Wrap mid-rise skirt - Pin detail with Gucci logo engraved - Spring Summer 2000 Size: FR 36 - IT 40 - UK 8 - US 4 (EU) Measuremen...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirts
- Fendi S/S 2000 Embroidered Mesh SkirtBy Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for FendiLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Karl Lagerfeld - Sold by Skof.Archive - Pink and green geometric motif embroideries - Mesh nude above knee-length skirt - Nude nylon lining - Drawstring closure -...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirts
- Rare D&G Printed Asian Scenes Runway Spring / Summer 2000By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Venezia, ITRare D&G Printed Asian Scenes Runway Spring / Summer 2000 Size: 26 / 40 IT Materials: 95% Polyathylen 5% Spandex Waist: 34cm Length: 65cm - NO RETURNSCategory
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Yoly Munoz White Lace Maxi Skirt, 1980sLocated in Scottsdale, AZYour perfect summer skirt has arrived with our amazing 1980s white lace maxi skirt from designer Yoly Munoz. Made of a white cotton and sheer lace fabric, s...Category
1980s American Skirts
- Jean-Claude Jitrois Couture Leather Fur Trim SkirtBy Jean-Claude JitroisLocated in Scottsdale, AZFeel All Of The 80s Vibes In This Leather Skirt! Circa 1980s, this custom couture numbered 10829 Jean Claude Jitrois skirt is crafted from white leather and features a peplum bottom with a fox fur trim and zipper/snap button closure on the back. Sure to keep you cozy at all your winter getaways, this skirt will pair perfectly with your favorite vintage band tee and funky Dior boots...Category
1980s French Skirts
- Vivienne Westwood denim 'Mini-Crini' skirt, ss 1985By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood denim 'Mini-Crini' skirt ▪ Made with recycled Levi's denim jeans ▪ Plastic boning ▪ Waist 28 inch ▪ Spring-Summer 1985Category
1980s British Skirts