rare AZZEDINE ALAIA black 'Plissé Abeille' hand pleated dress - unworn
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 48 in (121.92 cm)Marked Size: FR 38 (EU)
- Period:
- Material Notes:80% wool, 10% polyamide, 5% viscose, 5% polyester
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU819989472
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1970's SCOTT BARRIE black jersey dressBy Scott BarrieLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, jersey dress designed by Scott Barrie dating to the 1970's. Dress fits a size 4. Dress measures approximately 32" at bust, 13" at smallest point of shoulders and 15.5" alo...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Sorelle Fontana charcoal grey wool dress with gold brocade detail, 1960sBy Sorelle FontanaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare charcoal wool dress with gold brocade insert and decorative beaded buttons designed by the Fontana sisters 'Sorelle Fontana' dating to the ea...Category
1960s Italian Day Dresses
- 1994 ANN DEMEULEMEESTER pink and black velvet maxi dressBy Ann DemeulemeesterLocated in San Fransisco, CASoft pink and black semi-sheer, velvet maxi dress designed by Ann Demeulemeester dating to the 1994. Belgian size 38 which best fits a US 4 or 6. Approximate measurements: bust 36", ...Category
1990s Belgian Maxi Dresses
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI brown velvet dress with asymmetrical hemlineBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown velvet dress with v-neck and asymmetrical hemline from Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Fits a size 6 or 8. Approximate measurements: shoulde...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- 1980's LEONARD of PARIS metallic silk jersey dress with asymmetrical wrapBy Leonard Fashion, LeonardLocated in San Fransisco, CAMetallic, silk-jersey dress with abstract print and asymmetrical wrap from Leonard of Paris dating to the 1980's. 'Leonard' signatures throughout. Tones include black, gold, tan, gre...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- 1990's CHEAP AND CHIC by MOSCHINO black bustier minidressBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black bustier mini dress from MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC dating to the 1990's. Narrow adjustable straps and bow at waistline. Labeled an Italian 42 however this dress best Fits an Ita...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- F/W 2001 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Tulle Sleeveless Shift DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black pleated chiffon Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2001 collection, the top version of this dress in pink debuted on the season's runway as pa...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Claude Montana Black Wrap Dress/Optional Coat With Velvet AccentsBy Claude Montana Paris, Claude MontanaLocated in New York, NYClaude Montana black wrap dress with an optional choice to wear as a coat iss accented with velvet as ties and finished with gold hardware caps on ...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990s Moschino Couture It's All So Simple Black Sleeveless Shift DressBy MoschinoLocated in San Francisco, CAVintage 1990s Moschino Couture black and white sleeveless sheath dress with "It's all so simple" embroidery at front. Back zip. 52% acetate, 48% rayon. Fully lined in 60% acetate, ...Category
1990s Italian Casual Dresses
- Ossie Clark angel-sleeve drawstring dress with print by Celia Birtwell, ss 1971By Ossie ClarkLocated in London, GB▪ Ossie Clark angel-sleeve dress ▪ 'Busy Lizzie' floral print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Pink and green with black ground ▪ Loose fit ▪ Drawstring fastening a...Category
1970s British Day Dresses
- Eisenberg Originals Dress with Beaded Lace Panel 1940sBy Eisenberg OriginalsLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful black silk 1940s dress by Eisenberg Originals. It has a crew neckline, long sleeves and a stunning richly detailed glass seed beaded lace insert across the upper chest an...Category
1940s American Day Dresses
- S/S 2004 Chloe by Phoebe Philo Black Beaded Heart Racerback Knit DressBy ChloéLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black racerback knit Chloé dress, designed by Phoebe Philo. From the Spring/Summer 2004 collection, this beautiful little black dress features a scoop neckline, racerback, flare at the skirt, and is made complete with beaded heart pendant details around the trim. Add this fabulous piece of Y2K Chloé by Phoebe...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses