Azzedine Alaia F/W 1983 vintage draped black suede skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: French 38 (EU)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)
- Style:1980 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerpen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU44720953582
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: Antwerpen, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Jean Paul Gaultier soleil vintage SS 2005 black sequins & ruffles mesh skirtBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestI love this collectible piece by Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil. It features, sequins & ruffles made in the dotted mesh fabric. Size Free Measurements that are taken flat: Waist 13inch/3...Category
1990s French Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent"rive gauche" vintage 1970s black gabardine wrap skirtBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestExperience the timeless allure of the 1970s with this exquisite Yves Saint Laurent "Rive Gauche" vintage wrap-style skirt. Crafted from luxurious gabardine fabric.The design features...Category
1970s French Skirts
- Thierry Mugler vintage black linen full circle swing skirtBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestStunning vintage by Thierry Mugler black linen full circle swing skirt. Front slide pockets. Beautiful excellent condition. French size 38 Measurements flat: Waist: 12,5inch/32cm(x2...Category
1990s French Skirts
- Céline Paris 1970s vintage fringed suede A-line skirtBy CelineLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestCéline Paris fringed suede skirt from the 1970s. It's an A-line low waist style, lined with the Celine signature printed on the viscose fabric. Whil...Category
1970s French A-Line Skirts
- Karl Lagerfeld fall 1993 collectible vintage black suede pointed panels skirtBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestA gorgeous vintage fall/winter 1993 Karl Lagerfeld collectible black suede skirt. It has a wide waistband with overlapping pointed panels forming the skirt and featuring a back zipp...Category
1990s French Skirts
- Céline Paris vintage 1980s black pleated skirt.By CelineLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestVintage black pleated skirt by Céline featuring a front leather waistband detail with gold-tone buckles on each side. Fully lined with a Céline carriage...Category
1970s French Pleated Skirts
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford SS-02 Cotton Laced Safari Skirt with Leopard TrimBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Brussels, BEThe sexy pencil skirt was a piece that Carine Roitfeld, Tom Ford’s longtime stylist and former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief, made quite popular in the early noughties. Roitfeld was obsessed with the rigor and discipline of uniforms, but she kept looking for ways to add eroticism to strictly tailored clothes. This military-inspired skirt -with its sensual trim of leopard print chiffon- was an obvious choice for her and hasn’t lost any of its relevance. This is a version of skirt Look 2 as seen on the runway spring/summer 2002, ready-to-wear, model Rie Rasmussen 100% cotton in brown Leopard trim...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Marc Jacobs Multicolor Printed Ruffle Bottom Layered Skirt XSBy Marc JacobsLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This skirt from Marc Jacobs is sure to make your fall in love with it. The fabulous creation is designed with layers, ruffles at the bottom and prints in multiple colours splayed all...Category
2010s Italian A-Line Skirts
- Marni Multicolor Leaf Print Ruched Hem Detail Satin Skirt SBy MarniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Tailored in a luxurious silk fabric, this skirt from the house of Marni is designed for a relaxed fit. It comes with leaf print all over and detailed with ruched hem detail. Wear wit...Category
2010s Italian Dip Hem Skirts
- Etro Pink Wool Blend Velvet Trim Bead Detail Midi Skirt SBy EtroLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Embellished with beads to give a bohemian outlook, this mid-length skirt brought by Etro is designed to put a bit of style to your casual ensembles. Go for a Sunday brunch or step ou...Category
2010s Italian Skirts
- Dolce & Gabbana Light Grey Pencil Skirt LBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Dolce & Gabbana demonstrates minimalistic proportions in this skirt. Made in Italy in light grey hue to match with countless tops, this skirt is constructed in a form-flattering penc...Category
2010s Italian Pencil Skirts
- Alexander McQueen Monochrome Tweed Slit Detail Skirt SBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Alexander McQueen brings to you this classic skirt for all your monochrome obsession. This tweed skirt is made of a cotton blend and features a simple structured silhouette with slit...Category
2010s Italian A-Line Skirts