Alaïa Hat / Beret in Black Virgin Wool Embellished with Silver Rivets
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 57 (NA)
- Style:Circa 2000 (Of the Period)
- Period:
- Material Notes:Wool
- Condition:
- Seller Location:SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
- Reference Number:
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: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Yves Saint Laurent Sht with Braid Trim HatBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRYves Saint Laurent -(Made in France) Sht with braid trim. Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: 53 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref number: CHP2Category
1980s French Hats
- Maison Michel Hat in Grey Felt with a Chain in Silver-Plated MetalBy Maison MichelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMaison Michel - Hat in grey felt with a chain in silver-plated metal. Size S. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Head circumference: 54 cm Seller Re...Category
2010s Hats
- Yves Saint Laurent Boater Hat Decorated with a Pleated Navy Blue RibbonBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRYves Saint Laurent (Made in France) Boater hat decorated with a pleated navy blue ribbon. Runway model, ribbon N°612. Size 57. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition...Category
1970s French Hats
- Maison Michel Blue Felt HatBy Maison MichelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMaison Michel - Blue Felt Hat Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: about 57 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref number: CHP55Category
2010s Hats
- Maison Michel Straw Wide Brim HatBy Maison MichelLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRMaison Michel - Straw wide brim hat. Additional information: Dimensions: Circumference: 55 cm (21.65") - Brim width: 13 cm (5.11") - Height: 10 cm (3...Category
2010s Hats
- Hermès Open Cap with Fabric VisorBy HermèsLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRHermès -Open cap with fabric visor. Size S, the back of the cap has an elastic band. Additional information: Dimensions: Size S Condition: Very good condition Seller Ref number: CHP9Category
1990s French Hats
- F/W 1998 Gianni Versace by Donatella Silver Tone Round Black Crystal Hair ClipBy Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous silvertone and black rhinestone Gianni Versace hair clip, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Fall/Winter 1998 collection, ...Category
1990s Italian Hats
- Fendi FF Zucca Monogram Small Hat FF-1118P-0006By FendiLocated in Downey, CAFendi FF Zucca Monogram Small Hat FF-1118P-0006 Here is a classic Fendi zucca monogram beanie a true rare item. this classic piece has been sold out f...Category
2010s Italian Hats
- Buscemi Red Adjustable Leather Canvas Made in Italy HatBy BuscemiLocated in Downey, CABuscemi Red Adjustable Leather Canvas Made in Italy Hat A classic baseball cap shape in Original Leather & Canvas Made in Italy detail. This Buscemi hat is a must have for any true ...Category
2010s Italian Hats
- 1940s Leslie James Navy Blue Felt Tilt Hat w Large Pink Ostrich PlumesBy Leslie JamesLocated in Gresham, OR1940s Leslie James Navy Blue Felt Tilt Hat w Large Pink Ostrich Plumes: An unusual tilt hat by the famed milliner Leslie James features and lush ostrich plume and contoured double s...Category
1940s American Hats
- New Chanel Shearling Headband White with BoxBy ChanelLocated in West Hollywood, CAThis headband from Chanel is really sought after. It keeps you warm and stays tight on your head Its brand-new and never worn and comes in the original Chanel box. On the front it's ...Category
2010s French Hats
- Edwardian Bird of Paradise HatLocated in New York, NYAmazing Bird of Paradise Edwardian Hat on velvet base. Incredible taxidermy on draped velvet wired hat. Retailed by Marks and Sons, a store in Amsterda...Category
Early 1900s American Hats