ALAIA black viscose 2024 MOIRE JACQUARD KNIT HALTER GOWN Dress 38 S
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Alaïa gown in black moiré-jacquard knit viscose (63%), polyester (32%), polyamide (4%), and polyurethane (1%) embodies the designer's signature sculptural eleganc...
2000 AZZEDINE ALAIA documented black halter RUNWAY dress with strappy back
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, jet-black halter style dress designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to 2001 as seen in numerous editorials including on Karolina Kurkova as photographed in Elle US September 20...
F/W 2001 Azzedine Alaïa Black Knit Backless Strap Bodycon Halter Mini Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Alaïa's Fall/Winter 2001 collection, this sexy, form-fitting halterneck dress wraps around the neck to create a V-neckline. The same style worn by Stephanie Seymour and Naomi Ca...
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress Size Small Alaïa fitted halter black dress with scoop neck, open back and snap closures at nape and center back.
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress Size L Alaïa fitted halter black dress with scoop neck, open back and snap closures at nape and center back.
Vintage 1990s Azzedine Alaia Black Body-con Scalloped Halter Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia black body-con dress featuring a scalloped halter and hem, wide halter strap, side darts, exposed back, and center b...
Azzedine Alaia black acetate halter-neck mini dress, ss 1986
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
Azzedine Alaia black acetate halter-neck mini dress: fitted skirt made from multiple horizontal panels with lace up fastening, attached bra top with hook fastening at centre-back.
ALAIA midnight blue cotton PERFORATED Halter Dress 38
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Zürich, CH
Alaia perforated halter dress in midnight blue cotton (100%). With slit jewel neck, flared skirt open at the front, and drawstring around the neck, under the bust, and around the hip...
ALAIA Black Jersey Halter Gown, 1990s
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jaw dropping, show stopping, body hugging, little black ALAIA dress. Luxurious heavy-weight knit. Sexy skin-bearing plunging neckline. Circa 1990s. Unlined, in excellent condition. S...
Azzedine Alaïa F/W 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaïa 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi Dress Size XS Alaïa black maxi dress featuring halter neckline, open back. flared hem with train and concealed zip closur...
2000 AZZEDINE ALAIA documented black halter RUNWAY dress with strappy back
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, jet-black halter style dress designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to 2001 as seen in numerous editorials including on Karolina Kurkova as photographed in Elle US September 20...
Azzedine Alaia black rayon halter neck bias cut trained evening dress, fw 2001
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
▪ Azzedine Alaia black rayon evening dress ▪ Cross-over bodice with halter neck ▪ Open back with 2 back straps ▪ Bias cut fishtail skirt with train ▪ Image 5: Stephanie Seymour, ph.
Azzedine Alaia red jersey halter neck evening dress, ss 1984
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
Azzedine Alaia red rayon jersey evening dress with fitted waist and pencil skirt. Attached low cut halter neck collar which could be worn as a hood. Spring-Summer 1984
1991 AZZEDINE ALAIA jet black backless halter gown
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare jet black floor length gown from Alaia dating to the 1990's. Absolutely stunning dress. Labeled a size 'm', although this would best suit a US size 2 or 4. Waist measures a...
unworn 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black backless halter gown
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare jet black floor length gown from Alaia dating to the 1990's. Absolutely stunning dress. Labeled a size 'm', although this would best suit a US size 2 or 4. Waist measures a...
1990S AZZEDINE ALAIA Black Polyester Voile Lace Strapped Halter Backless Dress
Located in New York, NY
1990S AZZEDINE ALAIA Black Polyester Voile Lace Strapped Halter Backless Dress
2001 documented AZZEDINE ALAIA black halter dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, jet-black dress from Alaia dating to 2001 as seen in numerous places including: Karolina Kurkova as published in Elle US September 2000, Stephanie Seymour in New York, 200...
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Bodycon Halter Backless Black Dress Size L Alaïa fitted halter black dress with scoop neck, open back and snap closures at nape and center back.
Azzedine Alaïa F/W 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Midi Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaïa 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Midi Dress Size S Alaïa black midi dress featuring halter neckline, open back. flared hem and concealed zip closure at side.
2001 AZZEDINE ALAIA documented black halter dress with unique back
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Very rare, jet-black halter style dress designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to 2000 as seen in numerous places including; Karolina Kurkova as photographed in Elle US September 2001 Ste...
Azzedine Alaïa F/W 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Azzedine Alaïa 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi Dress Size M Alaïa black maxi dress featuring halter neckline, open back. flared hem with train and concealed zip closure...
Azzedine Alaia black acetate halter neck evening dress with train, c. 1998
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
Azzedine Alaia black acetate halter neck bias cut evening dress with train.
Azzedine Alaia indigo denim bustier halter mini dress, ss 1991
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
▪ Azzedine Alaia indigo denim halter mini dress ▪ Bustier with underwire bra ▪ Flat fell seams throughout in a contrast cream stitch ▪ Open sides and back ▪ Corset lacing at the ce...
Azzedine Alaia Iconic Butterly Print Knit Dress 1991
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia black bodycon dress featuring black halter straps, side straps, iconic butterfly print, and a center back zipper.
Azzedine Alaia Black Triple Strap Open Back Mini Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia black rayon high neck halter dress featuring a fitted bodice, a curved waist seam, open back, two cross straps, and...
Azzedine Alaia Rare Vintage Black Backless Halter Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Sensational Azzedine Alaia Vintage Black Backless Dress. Featuring a halter front, this is backless to the bum save two strap's.
Alaia Vintage Black Knit Backless Halter Dress 36 4
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in New York City, NY
Vintage Azzedine Alaia black viscose knit cocktail dress with cross front halter neckline.
1990's Azzedine Alaia Sheer Black Knit Bodycon Halter Wiggle Dress
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Yukon, OK
DESIGNER: 1990's Azzedine Alaia Please contact for more information and/or photos. CONDITION: Good- no flaws! FABRIC: 100% acetate COUNTRY MADE: Italy SIZE: M MEASUREMENTS; pro...
Vintage 1998 Azzedine Alaia Black Knit Hourglass Halter Bias-Cut Trained Gown
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An iconic and absolutely breathtaking documented Azzedine Alaia black bias-cut floor length asymmetric trained gown from his beloved 1998 spring/summer collection. In the 1980's when...
Alaïa Dress Navy Halter Style
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black cotton halter dress with deep V-shaped neckline and shirred waistline. It is a wrap style that fastens at waist line only with a button and drawstring that creates volume with ...
$95Sale Price|20% Off
W 27.56 in L 78.75 in
Baltic Mist Handwoven Cotton Scarf by Studio Variously, Unisex
By Studio Variously
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Custom design by Studio Variously, BALTIC MIST is a light weight scarf. It is beautifully handwoven and hand knotted in cotton by master artisans in Nepal. A sustainable design br...
$1,454Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 37
New Gucci 90th Anniversary Ad Runway Python Snakeskin Pump Heels Sz 37
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Brand New From Gucci's 90th anniversary Fall Runway show, Frida Giannini cited her influence was Anjelica Huston $1815 * Python Heels * Rare Ad Runway Heels * Size: 37 * Yel...
Calvin Klein Collection by Francisco Costa Navy Silk Gown, 2005
By Calvin Klein Collection
Located in Marlborough, GB
Calvin Klein Collection by Francisco Costa navy silk gown, 2005 Worn by Natalia Vodianova to the launch party of CK’s Euphoria fragrance, which she was the face of. Sensual and minim...
CHRISTIAN DIOR taupe FOX FUR Winter Coat Sz. F38 / M
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
Christian Dior coat in off-white, brown, and taupe fox fur with wide collar. Two side pockets. Opens with two hooks on the front. Lined in black silk. Has been worn and is in excelle...
Oscar de la Renta Corsage Cocktail Dress New!
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oscar de la Renta strapless lace and silk corsage cocktail dress offered in brand new condition. Hand ruched black lace bodice with large attached rosette corsage. Bodice extends ...
Yves Saint Laurent Attributed Printed Silk Chiffon & Feathers Scarf Stole
Located in Geneva, CH
Most probably by Yves Saint Laurent (similar designs are to be found in different YSL collections, like the iconic SS1977 "Les Espagnoles et les Romantiques" / see picture 2), this r...
$245Sale Price|34% Off
H 11 in D 3.5 in L 11.5 in
Unique Thespian Needlepoint Comedy and Tragedy Handbag c 1960
Located in University City, MO
Unique thespian needlepoint comedy and tragedy handbag The stylish large scale retro handbag is designed with comedy and tragedy mask on both exterior sides The theatrical ma...
Manolo Blahnik tan embroidery leather pump - 37.5
By Manolo Blahnik
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Manolo Blahnik tan embroidery leather pump - 37.5. These adorable Manolo Blahnik pumps are in good condition. They show use with small smudges, shown in picture. The bottom of the sh...
Chanel F/W 1991 Vintage Black Pearl Embellished Mini Dress
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Chanel F/W 1991 black dress with faux pearl “necklace” embellishment — a beautifully documented runway piece, also pictured in the official collection catalog on Linda Evangelista. ...
$2,295
Size: Small - Medium
Christian Dior John Galliano Fall 2001 Black White Novelty Domino Print Cami Top
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in San Diego, CA
Collectible CHRISTIAN DIOR by JOHN GALLIANO Fall 2001 runway vintage black and white novelty print playing cards and domino semi sheer mesh camisole top! Kris Jenner ( Mother of Kim ...
2000's ALESSANDRO DELL'ACQUA black silk spiral ruffle maxi dress
By Alessandro Dell'Acqua
Located in San Fransisco, CA
2000’s Alessandro Dell’Acqua black silk maxi dress with layered spiral ruffles throughout. Made of lightweight sheer silk, the dress is cut with thin straps and a soft shape that fal...
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2009 Runway One Shoulder Silk Toga Dress $3, 200 BNWT
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing brand new with tags Oscar de la Renta silk one shoulder dress! Detailed for $3,200! Featured in the Resort 2009 Oscar Runway Collection (see pictures). One shoulder can be wo...
Hippy Style Gold Brocade Robe Coat with Embroidery and Pockets
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Unique hand made one- off a kind vintage colorful robe manteau. We offer more excluisive items, view our frontstore Embroidered with sequins and vintage Indian pieces gold brocade...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1995 Striped Crosshatch Button Front Men's Dress Shirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1995 Striped Crosshatch Button Front Men's Dress Shirt Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1995 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: butto...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Heart Silk Cord Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage black passementerie cord belt featuring a gold and silver toned heart with crystal embellishement. One size fits all. Adjustable length. Embossed YSL Mad...
$799Sale Price|55% Off
Size: 42 fits best approximately US 6
UNWORN Missoni Rainbow Metallic Crochet Knit Pants Crop Top Ensemble Set 42
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
BEAUTIFUL MISSONI ORANGE LABEL KNIT 2PCS ENSEMBLE Stunning Missoni set in rainbow colors Classic MISSONI signature crochet knit Consisting of two pieces, pants and top Simply slips...
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.
With entire museum exhibitions dedicated to examining fashion designers and their creations, we’re finally recognizing that costuming is art. Evening dresses over time have conveyed specific statements about social class, position and beliefs. Fashion is a powerful means of self-expression, and sophisticated vintage evening dresses and gowns by our favorite couturier play no small role in making us feel wonderful but, perhaps more importantly, making us feel like ourselves.
In the 16th century, dresses and gowns were so important that England's Queen Elizabeth I defined rules about what dresses women could wear — guidance included long skirts and fitted bodices. Forward-thinking designers have responded to this history.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined traditionally masculine garments for feminine shapes, and her elegant evening dresses and gowns promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by layers of fabric. Christian Dior's gowns celebrated luxury and femininity in the late 1940s — and gave to women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of the war. French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent introduced innovative and highly coveted dress designs in the 1960s while at the same time challenging sexist stereotypes about which members of society could wear tuxedos.
Works by unconventional British designer John Galliano — featured in houses like Givenchy and Dior — redefined limits that dressmakers faced in terms of material, construction and vision during the late 20th century. From his embroidered absinthe-green Oscars gown for actress Nicole Kidman to the iconic sleeveless Dior newspaper dress that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw made famous, Galliano’s intricate and multifaceted work is reliably collectible and newsworthy
Today’s designers target an increasingly broad audience with their boundary-crossing work, and their tendency to play off of each other’s ideas means that every walk down the runway is also a walk through an entire history of fashion design and dress craftsmanship.
Whether you gravitate toward backless maxi dresses or silk charmeuse gowns by Alexander McQueen or embellished, ruffled floral-print designs by Chloe or Versace, there is an extraordinary collection of vintage and designer evening dresses and gowns waiting for you on 1stDibs.