Alaïa Set Composed of a Top and a Flared Skirt
View Similar Items
Alaïa Set Composed of a Top and a Flared Skirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 18.9 in (48 cm)Length: 22.84 in (58 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)Bust: 19.69 in (50 cm)Hip: 14.18 in (36 cm)
- Style:Fall-Winter 2014/2015 Collection. (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
- Reference Number:Seller: FT491stDibs: LU3536219700812
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.
- Christian Dior Silk and Wool Suit EnsembleBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior -(Made in Italy) Silk and wool suit with mink trim. Size indicated 38FR for the pants and 40FR for the top. Additional information: Dimensions: Top: Shoulders: 40 cm, Chest: ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Twin Sets
- Yves Saint Laurent Cotton and Wool Set Winter Collection, 1992By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRYves Saint Laurent (Made in France) - Set in cotton and wool. 1992 Winter Collection. Size 36FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Jacket: Shoulders: 38 cm (14.96"), Bust: 46 cm ...Category
1990s French Twin Sets
- Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Blouse and Skirt SetBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRYves Saint Laurent -(Made in France) Haute Couture set consisting of a black silk blouse and skirt printed with red flowers. No size label or composition, it fits a 36FR/38FR. Addit...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Paco Rabanne Set Composed Top and Skirt in Silver Metallic MeshBy Paco RabanneLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRPaco Rabanne -(Made in France) Set composed of a top and a skirt in silver metallic mesh. No size indicated, it corresponds to a 36FR/38FR. Collection Spring/Summer 2013. Additional...Category
2010s French Skirt Suits
- Alexander McQueen Jacket, Skirt and Wool Pants 3 Pieces SetBy Alexander McQueenLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRAlexander McQueen - (Made in Italy) Set consisting of a jacket, skirt and wool pants. Size indicated 42IT, it fits a 38FR/40FR. Collection 2005. Additional information: Dimensions:...Category
Early 2000s Italian Twin Sets
- Jean Patou Haute Couture Velvet, Chiffon and Beads Couture SetBy Jean PatouLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRJean Patou Haute Couture - Jacket and pants set composed of velvet, chiffon and beads. Louis 40 Mogador model. No composition or size tag, it fits a size 36FR...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Twin Sets
- Dolce & Gabbana black wool embroidered 3-piece evening ensemble, ss 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Slim fit pants - Vest with built in bra - Obi belt Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana silk chiffon blouse and skirt pants set, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana chiffon set ▪ 90% Silk, 10% Lycra ▪ Loose-fit blouse with large scarf collar ▪ Fitted leggings with attached mini skirt ▪ IT 38 - FR ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980s Escada Navy Blue & Green 3 pc Trouser Pant Suit & Animal Print Silk BlouseBy Escada, Margaretha LeyLocated in Portland, ORWe love vintage Escada! There is nothing quite like their silk blouses and suits! This 3 piece fine merino wool outfit includes a pair of high waisted trousers, a silk animal print ...Category
1980s German Trouser Pant Suits
$269 Sale Price69% Off - 1980s Escada Green Pink Blue & Orange Plaid 2 pc Dress w/ Skirt & Linen TopBy EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful ensemble from the 1980's designed by Margaretha Ley for Escada. The outfit has a pleated midi length skirt that buttons down the front. It is made of linen in an ...Category
1980s German Day Dresses
$269 Sale Price69% Off - Black bi-material skirt suit Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack bi-material skirt suitCategory
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits