Rare Azzedine Alaia Black Woven Kimono Cardigan Duster 1985
View Similar Items
Rare Azzedine Alaia Black Woven Kimono Cardigan Duster 1985
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)
- Style:Kimono Sweater (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4515075102
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.
- Comme des Garcons Black Cardigan with Afghan Knit Details 2009By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAComme des Garcons button front black knit cardigan sweater dress with multicolor Afghan knit appliqué on front. Excellent Condition. Size Small Measurem...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses
- Balenciaga 2007 Blue White & Green Striped Heavy Knit Hooded SweaterBy BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage blue, white, and green striped Balenciaga heavy knit sweater featuring ornate buttons down the front, an ...Category
Early 2000s French Sweaters
- Gucci By Tom Ford Brown Lapin Rabbit Fur & Knit Zipper Cardigan SweaterBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer this stunning vintage chocolate brown Tom Ford for Gucci Lapin fur and silk knit sweater featuring extra-long skinny...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cardigans
- Vintage Raf Simons Black Cobweb Spider Sweater 1998-99By Raf SimonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a rare vintage Raf Simons black mohair cobweb sweater featuring contrasting knit patchwork panels and ribbed co...Category
1990s Belgian Pullovers
- Balenciaga By Nicolas Ghesquiere Blue & Brown Inset Panel Sweatshirt 2003By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is pleased to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière navy blue cotton sweatshirt with brown knit panels at sleeves and blue waffle-knit panels at waist and sle...Category
Early 2000s French Sweat Suits
- Bernhard Willhelm Black Skull & Crossbones Sweatshirt 2003Located in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Bernhard Willhelm black crew neck sweatshirt featuring long cuff sleeves, skull and crossbones des...Category
Early 2000s Belgian Pullovers
- 1980s Pringle of Scotland Checkerboard Wool SweaterLocated in valatie, NY1980's Pringle of Scotland wool sweater has an alternating red/black checkerboard, red/green horizontal stripe throughout. The pullover has a solid black knit rib around the neck, sl...Category
1980s Scottish Pullovers
- Gianfranco Ferre White Eyelet Tank TopBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Scottsdale, AZEyelet tank from Gianfranco Ferre! This mod little tank top makes for an incredible basic- tucked into skirts, jeans you name it! Black knit fabric accented with white leather eyelet...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sweater Vests
- 2000s Gianfranco Ferre Leather Eyelet Cardigan SweaterBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Scottsdale, AZEdgy leather eyelet cardigan sweater from Gianfranco Ferre! Black knit fabric accented with leather white eyelets all over! Snaps up the front with matchi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cardigans
- Hermés 1990s Brazil Scarf Crewneck BlouseBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZSaying hello to all the Hermés lovers! Circa 1990s, this silk crewneck features the coveted Brazil motif designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux in 1988. Includes a black ribbed wool trim...Category
1990s French Sweaters
- 2013 Off-White Black Oversized Intarsia CardiganBy Off-WhiteLocated in Scottsdale, AZGet your perfect winter sweater just in time for the season! Stay warm in the most fashionable cardigan out there with the coolest off-white branding Virgil 1st collection! This is an OFF-WHITE "Main Label" oversize knit cardigan in black and off-white wool (72%) and polyamide (28%) with "OFF" and "© 2013" printed on large folded over cuffs. The oversized fit and the thick knit will keep your warm on the chilliest days. Has one slip pocket on the front. Choose to wear this cardigan closed by using the four front with large snap buttons or open to layer. Unlined. This sweater is in great condition with no notable flaws. Pair this cardigan with some Gucci Tom Ford leather pants...Category
2010s American Cardigans
- Jean Paul Gaultier Rib Knit Zip-Up SweaterBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep back in time with this iconic 1990s Jean Paul Gaultier rib-knit zip-up sweater. Crafted from a luxurious and thick black rib-knit fabric, this sweate...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sweaters