Azzedine Alaia cream rayon knit 5 piece pant suit set, ss 1992
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140212904192
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.
- Gucci by Tom Ford black knitted wool and fur sweater and skirt set, fw 2002By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GB▪ Gucci black knitted wool sweater and skirt set ▪ Designed by Tom Ford ▪ Heavyweight oversized chunky-knit sweater ▪ Matching pencil skirt with ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- John Galliano purple and black herringbone mohair sweater and skirt set, fw 1999By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano purple mohair sweater and skirt set ▪ Black herringbone design with purple base ▪ Turn-over cuffs ▪ Large high-neck fold-over c...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Worlds End 'Nostalgia of Mud' open knit hooded sweater, fw 1982By Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, Worlds EndLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren Nostalgia of Mud, Fall-Winter 1982Category
1980s British Sweaters
- Christian Dior by John Galliano purple and gold knitted sweater dress, fw 1999By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano purple knitted sweater dress with metallic gold effect and large turtle neck Fall-Winter 1999Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace rose gold Oroton metal mesh vest, fw 1994By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace rose gold Oroton vest ▪ 100% Metal ▪ Back zip fastening ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Fall-Winter 1994Category
1990s Italian Sweaters
- Yohji Yamamoto navy and black knitted wool oversized sweater, fw 1984By Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB▪ Yohji Yamamoto navy and black knitted sweater ▪ 90% Wool, 5% Cotton, 5% Polyurethane ▪ Extremely oversized fit ▪ Labelled size medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1984Category
1980s Japanese Sweaters
- Unworn 1960s Deadstock Wool Knit Mod Color Block Sweater + Skirt Suit EnsembleLocated in Sparks, NVUnwworn with the original tags still attached! Vintage brown and off white color block turtleneck sweater top and matching skirt with a striped mod design. By Imperial Imports. This ...Category
1960s Hong Kong Skirt Suits
- NEW Christian Dior John Galliano Cashmere Saddle Bag Print Cardigan Twin Set 36By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in Switzerland, CHA rare piece - you won't find anyone wearing the same! Gorgeous twin set by John Galliano for Christian Dior A stunning ensemble consisting of top and cardigan Softest cashmere silk ...Category
Early 2000s French Twin Sets
- 1980s Chanel Knit Navy Short Sleeve EnsembleBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioPerfect for the summer, this 1980s Chanel navy knit ensemble is amazing when worn together or 3 great pieces to add to any wardrobe. The short sleeve sweater jacket buttons up the fr...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Claude Montana 1980's Knit SetBy Claude MontanaLocated in Scottsdale, AZClaude Montana collectors right this way! This ultra-cozy set is destined to be yours. From the 1980's, this is a vintage gem to add to your loungewear. This features a long-sleeve top with a 3/4 sleeve, a beautiful open back, and bottoms with a knee-length and a high waist. Pair this set with some Louis Vuitton slippers and a Yves Saint Laurent robe...Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Missoni Off White Decorative Knit Sweater and Tank Twin SetBy M Missoni, MissoniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMissoni off white decorative knit long sleeve open front hip length sweater and matching scoop neck tank top. Each unlined. Tank marked size 2 sweater marked size 6. M Missoni. In ex...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Twin Sets
- 1970s Bill Gibb Piano Key Pattern Five Piece EnsembleBy Bill GibbLocated in London, GBThis is a rare and complete 5-piece ensemble by the legendary Bill Gibb in collaboration with renowned knitwear designer Kaffe Fassett who worked extensively with Gibb and Missoni during the 70s and 80s. The knitted elements of the ensemble are made up of a complex 'piano key...Category
1970s Cardigans
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.