1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA oversized tan cardigan sweater coat with pockets
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 37 in (93.98 cm)Marked Size: FR S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light signs of wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8119550892
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.
- Azzedine Alaia black chenille runway sweater jacket, 1989By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black chenille sweater jacket designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to fall of 1989 exactly as seen on the runway. Size S. Approximate measurements: d...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1986 AZZEDINE ALAIA heavy knit black RUNWAY cardigan sweater coat with zippersBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack, densely knit wool cardigan sweater jacket with brass zippers and ribbed trim from Azzedine Alaia dating to fall of 1986 exactly as seen on the runway. Labeled a size 'XS' alth...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA taupe knit jacket with waist tieBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CATaupe knit jacket with waist ties designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to spring of 1985. Looks great belted or worn loose. Labeled a size Medium. Approximate measurements laying flat: ...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 2012 COMME DES GARCONS off-white lace jacket with knit flower detailBy Comme des Garçons, Rei KawakuboLocated in San Fransisco, CAOff-white long lace jacket with cream knit flower detail designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garcons dating to spring of 2012. Size 'S'. Best fits a size XS. Approximate measureme...Category
2010s Japanese Jackets
- new PRADA spring 2022 brown cashmere polo sweater with integrated braBy Prada, Miuccia PradaLocated in San Fransisco, CADeep brown cashmere polo sweater with integrated bra designed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons exactly as seen on the spring 2022 runway. Labeled a size 'M' although it can easily fit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- 1986 AZZEDINE ALAIA heavy knit RUNWAY cardigan sweater coat with zippersBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAOff-white, densely knit wool cardigan sweater jacket with brass zippers and ribbed trim from Azzedine Alaia dating to fall of 1986, exactly as seen on the runway. Size 'S'. Approxima...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- Chanel Pink Cashmere Tweed Cardigan With Waist Band 42 FRBy ChanelLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Chanel Product: Tweed Cardigan Size: 42 Fr Colour: Pink & Cream Tones Material: Outer: 100% Cashmere Other: 90% Vinyl & 10% Viscose Product Code: P43870K04524 Conditio...Category
2010s Blazers
- White Sequin CardiganLocated in Alford, MAA white knit cardigan adorned allover with iridescent white sequins. Hook and eye closures, lined in white, shallow slits on sides. Size M.Category
Mid-20th Century American Cardigans
- 1950s Lyle & Scott Beaded Cashmere Cardigan SweaterLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful rich red cashmere beaded cardigan sweater from Lyle & Scot. It has long sleeves with ribbed neckline, fold back cuffs and hem. Th...Category
1950s Scottish Cardigans
- Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci Black Runway Cardigan Sweater w/ Jeweled shoulderBy Ricardo Tisci, GivenchyLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing GIVENCHY, by Ricardo Tisci black runway open front cardigan sweater! Strong shoulder silhouette with built in interior shoulder pads. Encrusted with hundred of hand-seen bl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cardigans
- 1990s Donna Karan XL Sequined Beaded Rhinestone Vintage Black Cardigan SweaterBy Donna KaranLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 90s DONNA KARAN sequined, beaded and rhinestone long sleeve black cardigan. Soft blend of acrylic, nylon and spandex feels amazing against...Category
1990s Italian Cardigans
- Issey Miyake Bold Red with Leather Accent Sweater JacketBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYIssey Miyake bold red sweater jacket is accented with brown calfskin leather trim along the closing along with horn buttons. The 5 1/2" collar has an optional button closing if desir...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cardigans