ALAÏA High Heels in Silver Perforated Leather and Gray Suede Size 36.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 4.73 in (12 cm)Length: 9.45 in (24 cm)Marked Size: 36.5 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, 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: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- RENE CAOVILLA Ankle Boots in Gray Suede and Gilt Rhinestones Size 36By René CaovillaLocated in Paris, FRLow Boots T36 RENE CAOVILLA Beautiful pair of ankle boots René Caovilla in gray suede and golden rhinestones. Size 36 These boots are new. Their soles are adorned with silver glitter...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ankle Boots
- DLCE & GABBANA Water Green Alligator High Heels Size 37By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Paris, FRDolce & Gabbana water green alligator sandals. Size 37 Outsoles in genuine leather. Series 2204 2396 37. Made in Italy Very good used condition. white marks present on the back of ...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
- GUCCI High Heels Sandals in Grey Leather Size 36FrBy GucciLocated in Paris, FRGUCCI High heels sandals in gray leather. Size 36Fr. Zipped closure at the back. Silver métal hardware. In excellent condition. Worn once. Di...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian High Heels
- YVES SAINT LAURENT High Heels Boots in Shiny Black Leather Size 37.5 FRBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Paris, FRBeautiful shiny black leather heel boots from Maison Yves Saint Laurent. They have a platform. Size 37.5. Long zipper inside. In very good condition. They were re-soled. Leather wear...Category
Early 2000s Boots
- HERMES Wedge Ballet Flats ShoesBy HermèsLocated in Paris, FRWedges HERMES Size 36.5 (EU) These ballerinas are ideal for every day, because the heel is not very high and at the same time very chic with its refined form. You can also wear them ...Category
2010s French Low Heels
- Chanel Heeled Ankle Boots Size 39By ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel Maison's heeled ankle boots in black velvet calfskin. Size 39. Nice bow in the front. Zip closure inside. Golden 'CC' mark on the outside of ...Category
2010s French Shoes
- FENDI Karl Loves studded Karlito white leather skate sneakers EU36.5By FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI Karl Loves studded Karlito white leather skate sneakers EU36.5 Reference: ANWU/A00362 Brand: Fendi Collection: Karl Loves Material: Leather Color: White Pattern: Solid E...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- new BOTTEGA VENETA DANIEL LEE black net mesh square toe gold chain heel EU38.5By Bottega VenetaLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew BOTTEGA VENETA DANIEL LEE black net mesh square toe gold chain heel EU38.5 Brand: Bottega Veneta Collection: 2019 Runway Material: Mesh Extra Deta...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
- Chanel Grey Tweed Fabric And Leather Low Top Sneakers Size 36.5By ChanelLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2These sneakers from Chanel are so chic, you'll love wearing them for your fun outings with friends! The sneakers are crafted in Italy and made from tweed and leather and feature roun...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Versace Mens White and Beige Leather/Canvas Squalo Sneakers Size 41By VersaceLocated in Paradise Island, BSVersace Mens White and Beige Leather/Canvas Squalo Sneakers These Versace leather shoes are perfect for setting a style trend on your casual outings. Featuring paneled designs on th...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Fendi White Leather And Rubber Fendi-Fila Mania Logo Low Top Sneakers Size 39By FendiLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2These sneakers are from the collaboration between Fendi and Fila. Made from leather and rubber, they feature durable soles and lace-up vamps. Fila's signature red and blue as well as...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Golden brown leather pump with top-stitched end and ankle strap Louis VuittonBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGolden brown leather pump with top-stitched end and ankle strap. Gold metal branded plate on the top of the heels. FW 2007. Provide with box ( damaged) and extra heel edge. Hardly w...Category
Early 2000s High Heels
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.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.