Alaia Midnight Blue Top & Skirt Ensemble w/Cutouts
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU35711343522
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: Studio City, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Alexander McQueen Black Halter Jumpsuit with Geometric Motif, 2008By Alexander McQueenLocated in Studio City, CA2008 Alexander McQueen black halter jumpsuit with cream-colored geometric motif at top front and back. Side zipper closure, and hook and eye clos...Category
Early 2000s English Jumpsuits
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Black Crepe Jumpsuit with Lace Illusion Back Panel, 2012By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA2012 Yves Saint Laurent black crepe jumpsuit w/shortsleeves and lace illusion panel at back. IN excellent condition - size 38.Category
2010s French Jumpsuits
- Iconic 1970's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Floral Print Blouse & Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Yves Saint Laurent iconic floral print blouse & skirt ensemble in a lightweight wool. Blouse features button closure at the top and ruffle trim at collar. In excellent conditi...Category
1970s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970s Giorgio di Sant'Angelo Multicolored Embroidered Patterned Velvet EnsembleBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Sant'Angelo label velvet multicolored embroidered top/jacket and wrap skirt ensemble. In excellent condition - no size tag so please consult measurements. MEASUREMENTS: Skir...Category
1970s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Alaia Green Knit Body Suit, Stirrup Leggings & Matching Leather BeltBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Studio City, CAEarly 1990's Alaia green stretch wool and rayon blend body suit, stirrup legging and belt ensemble. The body suit combines wool with two distinct weaves and has a mock turtleneck, su...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Yellow & Blue Plaid Silk 2-Piece Skirt & Halter EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CACa. 1980 Yves Saint Laurent yellow, blue, and white plaid silk taffeta ensemble with prairie skirt and halter top. Halter has a shiny blue ring at back n...Category
1980s French Twin Sets
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche copper sequins Skirt suitBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRSkirt suit in copper sequins and black satin borderCategory
1980s French Skirt Suits
- 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
- Yohji Yamamoto black silk skirt suit with voluminous padded cuffs, fw 2003By Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB▪ Yohji Yamamoto black silk suit skirt ▪ Single-breasted jacket ▪ Detachable voluminous padded cuffs ▪ Ankle-length skirt with back kick split ▪ SI...Category
Early 2000s Japanese 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
- Alexander McQueen F/W 1997 " It's A Jungle Out There " pinstripe skirt suitBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Antwerpen, Vlaams GewestImportant collectible Alexander McQueen Fall Winter 1997 'It's a Jungle Out There' collection pinstripe jacket and skirt suit. Runway look, the jacket has shoulder pads. The condit...Category
1990s Italian 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