Azzedine Alaia navy blue knitted wool pant suit, fw 1986
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)Inseam: 53.55 in (136 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14029728192
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Margiela brown tweed wool pant suit with matching saddle bag, fw 1998By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBMartin Margiela; brown tweed wool pant suit with matching saddle bag. Fall-Winter 1998Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Azzedine Alaia Indigo cotton denim lace up bra top and shorts, ss 1991By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAzzedine Alaia Indigo cotton denim bra top and mini shorts with cream lace fastenings. Spring-Summer 1991Category
1990s Italian Twin Sets
- Dolce & Gabbana navy feathered pant suit, fw 1990By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana navy cotton spandex pant suit comprising: wide cut button up blouse with fitted sleeves and feathered collar, and fitted high waisted pants. Fall-Winter 1990Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Jean Paul Gaultier blue wool and velvet cape jacket, skirt and scarf, fw 1984By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GBJean Paul Gaultier blue wool ensemble comprising: cape jacket with black velvet sleeves and large button fastening, ruched ankle length skirt and matching scarf. Fall-Winter 1984Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet corset and pants ensemble, fw 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black velvet corset and pants ensemble. Fall-Winter 1992Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- John Galliano black and white skirt suit, ss 2000By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano black and white skirt suit comprising: v-neck ruched vest and maxi skirt with front and back high leg slit. Spring-Summer 2000Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Patrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with CorsetBy Patrick KellyLocated in New York, NYPatrick Kelly Early 1980's B&W Skirt Suit with Corset. This is a super fun three-piece skirt suit in a black and white leopard print pattern. This set is fearlessly bold, reminiscent...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Claude Montana Pant SuitBy Claude MontanaLocated in Los Angeles, CACharcoal grey pant suit. Woven leather trim. Belted. Shoulder pads. Side zipper on pants. Lined. Made in Italy. *Condition: Excellent vintage conditio...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970s Maggie Reeves Demi Couture Navy Blue Velvet and Silk 3 pc. EnsembleBy Maggie ReevesLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s three piece navy blue ensemble by Canadian demi couture designer Maggie Reeves. Velvet blazer with a silk lapels, embellished rhinestone button details and matching single butt...Category
1970s Canadian Skirt Suits
- Early Alexander McQueen Joan of Arc 1998 AW98 Runway Catwalk Dress Suit CostumeBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRIconic Alexander McQueen runway suit from Joan of Arc autumn winter 1998 Collection! Piece of art! Wonderful silhouette! Red McQueen Silk lining Bottons on the sleeves Shoulder pads 2 pockets The show was inspired by Joan of Arc who led the French army to victory in a battle against the English in the 15th century. She was later captured, found guilty of heresy and burned at the stake...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1980s Roberto Cavalli Textured Leather & Lace Crystal Embellished JumpsuitBy Roberto CavalliLocated in TARRAGONA, ESRoberto Cavalli vintage 1980s leather jumpsuit of a dramatic hourglass silhouette, with a low-cut back and sleek rhinestone embellishments. Fashioned in lightweight fine leather with...Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- Dolce & Gabbana Pantsuit, 2000sBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in New York, NYTrouser suit in fine wool and silk, perfect fit and cut. Dark blue color with pinstripe print. The jacket has two pockets and fastens with buttons. A row of buttons on the sleeve. Fu...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
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.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.