ALAIA Lace Up Dark Green High Heel Size 39
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Thousand Oaks, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU126635094811
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: Thousand Oaks, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Christian Dior Snake Skin Brown Cross Strap Platforms Size 40By Christian DiorLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAVintage Christian Dior Snake Skin Platforms Mint Condition - never worn Multicolor Brown with cross strap and adjustable ankle Slight platform for m...Category
2010s Shoes
- Balenciaga Black, Leather, Cage Platforms Size 36By BalenciagaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CABalenciaga Leather Black Strappy Platforms Size 36 Platform with block heel Sling back, open toe, strappy Super cute and sexy - Can be worn all yea...Category
Early 2000s French Shoes
- Guiseppe Zanotti Suede Black Booties Size US 7.5By Giuseppe LancettiLocated in Thousand Oaks, CA-Black Suede Curved Wedge Platform Ankle Boots - Avante Guard - super unique! -Size 7.5Category
2010s Shoes
- Valentino Black Leather Fringe Ankle Boots Size 36By ValentinoLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAValentino Black, Leather Fringe Boots. Ankle height with zipper. Size 36 in pristine condition (see soles) Leather slightly relaxed. Estimated retail $1265Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Alaia Nude Mary-jane Pumps Size 40.5By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAAlaia Classic Nude Mary-Jane Pumps. Cross Strap around Ankle Mint Condition No signs of wear Size 40.5Category
2010s French Shoes
- Gucci Zebra Black and White Pumps Size 36.5By GucciLocated in Thousand Oaks, CAGucci Zebra Print, black and white, ponyhair pumps. Natural signs of wear to soles, otherwise great condition. Size 36 1/2Category
2010s Shoes
- Gianvito Rossi Black Chester leather ankle boots Size 38.5By Gianvito RossiLocated in Amman, JOGianvito Rossi Black Chester leather ankle boots, Features elasticated sides closure, fabric and leather lining, leather insole, rubber sole and a round toe shape. Material: Calf Le...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo London Leather boots size 39By Jimmy ChooLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITLeather Black color Internal zip Heel height cm 10 (3,93 inches) total boots height cm 50 (19,6 inches)Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo London Velvet décolleté size 39By Jimmy ChooLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITVelvet Black color Crystals Heel height cm 9 (3,54 inches)Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Christian Louboutin Décolleté "So Kate" size 37 1/2By Christian LouboutinLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITIconic So Kate pointed pumps Leather incrusted with crystals Leopard fancy Heel height cm 12 (472 inches) With dustbag Original price euro 2000Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Brown suede heeled loafer with platform Yves Saint LaurentBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBrown suede heeled loafer with platform. Top-stitched, pompom and eyelet. Heel height = 10,5 cm Platform height = 2,5 cm Shoe size: 36 ( It)Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Prada Leather boots size 38 1/2By PradaLocated in Gazzaniga (BG), ITLeather Brown color Golden metal Total height cm 58 (22,8 inches) Heel height cm 12 (4,72 inches) Some signs as in picturesCategory
2010s Italian Shoes