Skip to main content

Vintage Alaia Coat

1980s Alaïa Oversized Glossed Nylon Vintage Trench Coat Jacket Archive Piece
1980s Alaïa Oversized Glossed Nylon Vintage Trench Coat Jacket Archive Piece

1980s Alaïa Oversized Glossed Nylon Vintage Trench Coat Jacket Archive Piece

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in San Diego, CA

Fabric: Glossed nylon Closure: Double breasted buttons Label: ALAÏA PARIS (white early label) Era: Fall Winter 1988 Fit: Oversized, flexible through multiple sizes Condition: Good; t...

Category

1980s Italian Trench Coats

Vintage 1990's Azzedine Alaïa Padded Shawl Collar Long Coat
Vintage 1990's Azzedine Alaïa Padded Shawl Collar Long Coat

Vintage 1990's Azzedine Alaïa Padded Shawl Collar Long Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in London, GB

A vintage Azzedine Alaïa black padded long shawl coat with leather corset belt.

Category

1990s French Coats and Outerwear

AZZEDINE ALAIA 1980's Vintage Taupe Oversized Swing Jacket Coat
AZZEDINE ALAIA 1980's Vintage Taupe Oversized Swing Jacket Coat

AZZEDINE ALAIA 1980's Vintage Taupe Oversized Swing Jacket Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in San Fransisco, CA

This 1980's Azzedine Alaïa jacket is made from soft, drapey rayon in a versatile taupe shade. It has a relaxed, oversized fit with full slightly cropped sleeves, an open front and a ...

Category

1980s French Coats and Outerwear

Alaia Black Coat With Metallic Gold Embroidery
Alaia Black Coat With Metallic Gold Embroidery

Alaia Black Coat With Metallic Gold Embroidery

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage black Azzedine Alaia soft black wool coat featuring intricate metallic gold embroidery, Alaia's signature a-line waist, double-brea...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Coats and Outerwear

Azzedine Alaïa - Vintage Teal Jacket Spring/Summer 1984
Azzedine Alaïa - Vintage Teal Jacket Spring/Summer 1984

Azzedine Alaïa - Vintage Teal Jacket Spring/Summer 1984

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in PARIS, FR

A teal denim jacket by Azzedine Alaïa from the 1984 spring summer runway collection. The design features a cinched waist, large lapels, and pronounced hip pockets that create an hour...

Category

1980s French Cocoon Coats

Recent Sales

1988 Azzedine Alaïa Silk Evening Coat
1988 Azzedine Alaïa Silk Evening Coat

1988 Azzedine Alaïa Silk Evening Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Exceptional Spring/Summer 1988 Azzedine Alaïa hooded silk evening coat. Simple button closure at the waist.

Category

1980s French Coats and Outerwear

Alaïa Black Coat
Alaïa Black Coat

Alaïa Black Coat

Sold

Size: Size 38 FR

Alaïa Black Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in London, GB

Bring the iconic elegance of Alaïa to your wintery wardrobe. This vintage Alaïa black double-breasted wool coat is tailored to sculptural perfection, finished with the house’s typica...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Coats and Outerwear

Azzedine Alaia 1986 Vintage Denim Jacket Coat
Azzedine Alaia 1986 Vintage Denim Jacket Coat

Azzedine Alaia 1986 Vintage Denim Jacket Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Englishtown, NJ

VINTAGE AZZEDINE ALAIA 1986 RARE DENIM JACKET COAT Dark wash blue Alaïa denim jacket with pointed collar, long sleeves, contrast stitching throughout, adjustable straps at hem and ...

Category

1980s Coats and Outerwear

Vintage Azzedine Alaia Iconic Pony Hair Leopard Coat
Vintage Azzedine Alaia Iconic Pony Hair Leopard Coat

Vintage Azzedine Alaia Iconic Pony Hair Leopard Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stunning vintage pony hair Azzedine Alaia leopard print coat with black double button closure, a vented back, side pockets, and fully lined.

Category

Early 2000s French Coats

Alaia Faux Fur Hooded Coat
Alaia Faux Fur Hooded Coat

Alaia Faux Fur Hooded Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia black faux fur double breasted swing coat featuring a hooded collar.

Category

1990s French Coats and Outerwear

Alaia Black Coat With Pleated Lace Skirt
Alaia Black Coat With Pleated Lace Skirt

Alaia Black Coat With Pleated Lace Skirt

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia black coat featuring a pleated skirt with lace, a wide rounded notched collar, and armhole princess seams.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Coats and Outerwear

Iconic Alaia Leopard Faux Fur Coat 1991
Iconic Alaia Leopard Faux Fur Coat 1991

Iconic Alaia Leopard Faux Fur Coat 1991

Sold

Size: 36 Oversized fits up to M

Iconic Alaia Leopard Faux Fur Coat 1991

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia faux fur coat with matching belt.

Category

1990s French Coats and Outerwear

Alaïa Duster Coat S/S 84
Alaïa Duster Coat S/S 84

Alaïa Duster Coat S/S 84

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in London, GB

- Spring /Summer 1984 Runway collection by Azzedine Alaïa - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Taupe batwing duster coat with large front pockets - Good condition - some discolouration

Category

1980s Overcoats

Alaia Blue Grey Tailored Coat With Black Buttons
Alaia Blue Grey Tailored Coat With Black Buttons

Alaia Blue Grey Tailored Coat With Black Buttons

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Resurrection Vintage is thrilled to offer a vintage blue-grey Azzedine Alaia tailored coat with black buttons featuring a tailored silhouette with a nipped waist, flared skirt, and a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Coats and Outerwear

Alaia Pale Ivory Buttonless Mini Trench Coat
Alaia Pale Ivory Buttonless Mini Trench Coat

Alaia Pale Ivory Buttonless Mini Trench Coat

Sold

Size: Easy fit. Today's size small.

Alaia Pale Ivory Buttonless Mini Trench Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia buttonless pale ivory mini trench coat with oversized collar, soft shoulders, and tie belt.

Category

20th Century French Trench Coats

Alaia Black Wide Lapel Trench
Alaia Black Wide Lapel Trench

Alaia Black Wide Lapel Trench

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia black double breasted paper thin trench coat featuring a wide lapel and matching waist sash.

Category

Late 20th Century French Trench Coats

Alaia Black Hooded Cape 1980s
Alaia Black Hooded Cape 1980s

Alaia Black Hooded Cape 1980s

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Azzedine Alaia black hooded cape featuring an oversized hood, armholes, interior pockets, and a mandarin collar. Azzedine Alaia P...

Category

1980s French Capes

Alaïa Black Shawl Jacket A/W 83
Alaïa Black Shawl Jacket A/W 83

Alaïa Black Shawl Jacket A/W 83

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in London, GB

- Autum/ Winter 1983 collection by Azedine Alaïa - Sold by Mae Vintage London - Important early piece from Alaïa's second runway collection and first ever winter collection - Bla...

Category

1980s French Shawls

Alaia Black Bodysuit and Skirt
Alaia Black Bodysuit and Skirt

Alaia Black Bodysuit and Skirt

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia black ribbed knit scoop neck long sleeve bodysuit and matching mini skirt. Skirt is marked a size small, Bodysuit is marked a size medium

Category

Late 20th Century French Dress and Coat Ensembles

Alaia Tati Car Coat
Alaia Tati Car Coat

Alaia Tati Car Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia Tati print car coat featuring a double breasted front closure and side flap pockets.

Category

1990s French Jackets

ALAIA Vintage black leather double breasted power shoulder fitted jacket  M
ALAIA Vintage black leather double breasted power shoulder fitted jacket  M

ALAIA Vintage black leather double breasted power shoulder fitted jacket M

Located in Hong Kong, NT

ALAIA Vintage black leather double breasted power shoulder fitted jacket M Reference: GIYG/A00176 Brand: Alaia Material: Leather Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Button Ex...

Category

2010s Coats

Alaia Black Pleated Skirt Coat
Alaia Black Pleated Skirt Coat

Alaia Black Pleated Skirt Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Azzedine Alaia black mini coat featuring a double button front entrance and a pleated knit skirt attached below the bust.

Category

Late 20th Century French Jackets

Azzedine Alaia 1980’s Vintage Motorcycle Zipper Denim Coat Dress
Azzedine Alaia 1980’s Vintage Motorcycle Zipper Denim Coat Dress

Azzedine Alaia 1980’s Vintage Motorcycle Zipper Denim Coat Dress

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Englishtown, NJ

Azzedine Alaia 1980’s Vintage Motorcycle Denim Coat Dress Azzedine Alaia denim dress featuring full length asymmetrical zip closure in front, duel zip pockets at back, dolman sleeve...

Category

1980s Day Dresses

Alaia Faux Fur Leopard Jacket
Alaia Faux Fur Leopard Jacket

Alaia Faux Fur Leopard Jacket

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Alaia faux leopard cropped coat with wide lapel and black frog closure at waist.

Category

1990s Cropped Jackets

Vintage Alaïa Wool Coat Dark Grey, Size 8
Vintage Alaïa Wool Coat Dark Grey, Size 8

Vintage Alaïa Wool Coat Dark Grey, Size 8

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Vintage Alaïa Wool Coat Dark Grey, Size 8 • 3/4 sleeves • Mid length • Deep V-neck • Front button closure • Ruffled details in the back • Wide peak collar • Made in France Item det...

Category

Late 20th Century Jackets

1990s Vintage Azzedine Alaia Denim Coat Jacket Size M
1990s Vintage Azzedine Alaia Denim Coat Jacket Size M

1990s Vintage Azzedine Alaia Denim Coat Jacket Size M

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Product details: Circa 1990's Size medium Featuring 100% cotton dark blue denim, mid length coat with gold tone hardware, front click in buttons closure, dial zip pockets. Made in Fr...

Category

1990s French Coats

Alaïa Knit Cardigan-Coat, Spring-Summer 1986
Alaïa Knit Cardigan-Coat, Spring-Summer 1986

Alaïa Knit Cardigan-Coat, Spring-Summer 1986

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Geneva, CH

From the iconic 1986 Spring-Summer collection, this vintage Alaia sand knit maxi cardigan-coat features two side pockets.

Category

1980s French Coats

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Wool Coat
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Wool Coat

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Wool Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in New York, NY

1980's Azzedine Alaia Vintage Wool Coat. Mint condition. Half belt.

Category

1980s French Coats

Vintage ALAIA PARIS waxed cotton trench coat
Vintage ALAIA PARIS waxed cotton trench coat

Vintage ALAIA PARIS waxed cotton trench coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Newport Beach, CA

Vintage ALAIA PARIS wax coated belted trench coat.

Category

1980s French Trench Coats

Alaïa Black Sheep Skin Vintage Coat, 1980
Alaïa Black Sheep Skin Vintage Coat, 1980

Alaïa Black Sheep Skin Vintage Coat, 1980

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Lugo (RA), IT

Splendid Alaïa black shearling shawl collar coat. It features a geometric paneled design, long sleeves, zip cuffs, a straight hem, an oversized fit, a knee length and an off-centre h...

Category

1980s Coats

Vintage S/S 1991 Azzedine Alaia Sheer Star Print Long Hooded Dress Coat
Vintage S/S 1991 Azzedine Alaia Sheer Star Print Long Hooded Dress Coat

Vintage S/S 1991 Azzedine Alaia Sheer Star Print Long Hooded Dress Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Yukon, OK

DESIGNER: S/S 1991 Azzedine Alaia Please contact for more information and/or photos. CONDITION: Good- Few tiny marks- there is a lot of fabric that hides them. FABRIC: Unknown C...

Category

1990s French Coats

Azzedine Alaia Sculptural Green Leather Vintage Jacket 38
Azzedine Alaia Sculptural Green Leather Vintage Jacket 38

Azzedine Alaia Sculptural Green Leather Vintage Jacket 38

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Cloverdale, CA

Azzedine Alaia Sculptural Green Leather Vintage Jacket.
Razor cut in super soft lambskin, the details are pure Alaia.
The back has a deep center seam, and stiched rump....

Category

1980s French Coats and Outerwear

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Brown Leather Jacket with Zip Closure - 40 / XS
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Brown Leather Jacket with Zip Closure - 40 / XS

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Brown Leather Jacket with Zip Closure - 40 / XS

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Westhampton Beach, NY

Vintage Alaia Jacket in a Fr 40. Beautifully supple leather jacket with Alaia's extraordinary detail to collar and hem. Lining is amazing ! Vertical silk blocks of red, pistachio, pi...

Category

20th Century French Coats and Outerwear

Vintage ALAÏA PARIS jaspé knit two piece dress & skirt set
Vintage ALAÏA PARIS jaspé knit two piece dress & skirt set

Vintage ALAÏA PARIS jaspé knit two piece dress & skirt set

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Newport Beach, CA

Vintage ALAÏA PARIS jaspé knit two piece dress & skirt set. The main dress features curved princess seams at back, and has a oversized silhouette. The matching skirt features 'V' s...

Category

1980s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Fitted  Jacket Coat
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Fitted  Jacket Coat

Azzedine Alaia Vintage Fitted Jacket Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in New York, NY

Spectacular 1980's Azzedine Alaia Vintage Fitted Jacket Coat. 100% wool. Fitted waist line.

Category

1980s French Double-Breasted Jackets

Vintage Alaia Paris Raincoat 1990s Black Trench Coat
Vintage Alaia Paris Raincoat 1990s Black Trench Coat

Vintage Alaia Paris Raincoat 1990s Black Trench Coat

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Portland, OR

This is a great vintage Alaia long trench coat style raincoat with waist belt.

Category

1980s French Trench Coats

1980s Azzedine Alaia Vintage Jacket in Black Leather Made in France Size 38
1980s Azzedine Alaia Vintage Jacket in Black Leather Made in France Size 38

1980s Azzedine Alaia Vintage Jacket in Black Leather Made in France Size 38

By Azzedine Alaïa

Located in Portland, OR

This vintage Alaia black leather oversized jacket was made in France in the late 1980's and is marked as a French size 38. This fabulous vintage jacket has beautiful details includin...

Category

1980s French Coats and Outerwear

People Also Browsed

Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress
Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress

Dolce & Gabbana Lace up Silk Dress

By Dolce & Gabbana

Located in Water Mill, NY

A beautiful stretch silk leopard print dress from Dolce & Gabbana. The bodice has adjustable straps, functional and adjustable side lacing through to the hips plus rows of top st...

Category

1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Christian Dior Low Back Silk Dress
Christian Dior Low Back Silk Dress

Christian Dior Low Back Silk Dress

By Christian Dior

Located in Water Mill, NY

A gorgeous off white silk dress from Christian Dior 2012 collection. It has a full skirt, waistband and 2 straps crossing the back attaching to the dress with hidden buttons. The dr...

Category

2010s Italian Day Dresses

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 "Natural Dis-Tinction" Skeleton Kaleidoscope Dress
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 "Natural Dis-Tinction" Skeleton Kaleidoscope Dress

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 "Natural Dis-Tinction" Skeleton Kaleidoscope Dress

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Thiensville, WI

ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2009 "Natural Dis-Tinction" Skeleton Kaleidoscope Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2009 "Natural Dis-Tinction" Designer: Alexander...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Mini Dress

UNWORN Christian Dior by John Galliano Deep Cleavage Laceup Silk Dress 4
UNWORN Christian Dior by John Galliano Deep Cleavage Laceup Silk Dress 4

UNWORN Christian Dior by John Galliano Deep Cleavage Laceup Silk Dress 4

By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior

Located in Switzerland, CH

This dress is a variation of Goldie Hawn's Golden Globe Dress created exclusively by John Galliano An extremely luxurious and CHRISTIAN DIOR signature piece that will last you for y...

Category

Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses

1970's HALSTON green silk bias cut handkerchief hem dress with wrap & scarf
1970's HALSTON green silk bias cut handkerchief hem dress with wrap & scarf

1970's HALSTON green silk bias cut handkerchief hem dress with wrap & scarf

By Halston

Located in San Fransisco, CA

Stunning dark green silk mousseline designed by Roy Halston dress dating to the 1970's. Cut with a plunging neckline and fine spaghetti straps, the dress falls in soft layers with an...

Category

1970s North American Maxi Dress

BNWT Gucci by Alessandra Facchinetti Gown, FW 2005
BNWT Gucci by Alessandra Facchinetti Gown, FW 2005

BNWT Gucci by Alessandra Facchinetti Gown, FW 2005

By Gucci

Located in Marlborough, GB

Gucci by Alessandra Facchinetti gown, FW 2005 A rare example of the brief chapter of Facchinetti’s creative direction in-between Tom Ford and Frida Giannini, worn on the runway by Ge...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns

John Galliano Crystal Adorned Crimson Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 2001
John Galliano Crystal Adorned Crimson Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 2001

John Galliano Crystal Adorned Crimson Satin Evening Dress and Shawl, ss 2001

By John Galliano

Located in London, GB

▪ Archival John Galliano Evening Dress ▪ Spring-Summer 2001 ▪ Crafted from crimson crepe-back satin, with alternating panels that highlight both the satin sheen and crepe texture ▪ D...

Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Iconic Black Cotton Bustier Corset Strapless Dress
Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Iconic Black Cotton Bustier Corset Strapless Dress

Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Iconic Black Cotton Bustier Corset Strapless Dress

By Thierry Mugler

Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest

Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Exceptional and Rare Thierry Mugler 1980s Vintage Black Cotton Boned Bustier Corset Dress Rare and hard to find, this stu...

Category

1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

Art Deco Lace Inserted Chemise Dress
Art Deco Lace Inserted Chemise Dress

Art Deco Lace Inserted Chemise Dress

Located in New York, NY

Charming Art Deco Lace Inserted Chemise Dress from the 1920's. Easy, slightly flared shape with multiple insertions of French lace throughout the silk chiffon panels. A handmade cors...

Category

1920s Chemises

Ruby red satin wrapped shirt ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
Ruby red satin wrapped shirt ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

Ruby red satin wrapped shirt ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

By Alexandre Vauthier

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Ruby red satin wrapped shirt . Hidden snap closure on the cuffs. SAMPLE SIZE 36

Category

2010s Blouses and Tops

LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded w. Pearls White Silk Bridal Gown
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded w. Pearls White Silk Bridal Gown

LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded w. Pearls White Silk Bridal Gown

By Eavis & Brown

Located in Leonardo, NJ

Les Habitudes / Eavis & Brown Couture created, entirely hand-made in a London atelier Vintage 1990's Heavy 100% ivory white silk (might look a little more cream on the hanger, bu...

Category

1990s Wedding Dresses

Black silk wrapped top ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER
Black silk wrapped top ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

Black silk wrapped top ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

By Alexandre Vauthier

Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR

Black silk wrapped top . Rhinestone Button and buttonhole on the sleeve edge SIZE 36/38 SAMPLE

Category

2010s Blouses and Tops

Thierry Mugler Couture Dramatic Silk Corset Top Bodice Bustier
Thierry Mugler Couture Dramatic Silk Corset Top Bodice Bustier

Thierry Mugler Couture Dramatic Silk Corset Top Bodice Bustier

By Thierry Mugler Couture

Located in Berlin, BE

Breathtaking Thierry Mugler Couture 02/03 Silk Corset. A vision of bold sensuality and architectural elegance. This is piece is unworn and comes with the original tag from FW 2002/20...

Category

Early 2000s French Bodices

Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Medieval Embroidery Corset Dress Gown 42
Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Medieval Embroidery Corset Dress Gown 42

Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Medieval Embroidery Corset Dress Gown 42

By Alexander McQueen

Located in Montgomery, TX

Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Chiffon Embellished Dress Gown Jessica Chastain was wearing an Alexander McQueen dress to the opening gala of the 70th Festival de Cannes on May 17, 20...

Category

2010s Italian Evening Gowns

New Atelier Versace Wisteria Purple Silk Fully Beaded Dress Gown
New Atelier Versace Wisteria Purple Silk Fully Beaded Dress Gown

New Atelier Versace Wisteria Purple Silk Fully Beaded Dress Gown

By Atelier Versace

Located in Montgomery, TX

Atelier Versace Wisteria Purple Fully Beaded Silk Dress Gown Designer size 42 ( run smaller - measurements provided ) 100% Silk Wisteria Purple Dress with Tulle Fully Embellished Ove...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Gowns

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vintage Alaia Coat", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Azzedine Alaïa for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Clothing for You

Start building your collection of covetable and iconic vintage clothing today — no matter where you roam, there is a curated selection of designer dresses and gowns, sweaters, shirts, dazzling shoes and more on 1stDibs that will keep you covered in the hottest styles from head to toe.

From elegant museum-worthy vintage Chanel dresses and jackets to audacious T-shirts and trousers from provocative punk designer Vivienne Westwood, one thing is abundantly clear: If the clothing for sale on 1stDibs could talk, it would certainly make a statement. 

For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers — think John Galliano and Roberto Cavalli — but maybe ‘80s accessories are among your (guilty?) pleasures. 

Playful, boldly colored coats and outerwear from Moschino, Ralph Lauren and other titans of the era can take a simpler ensemble to the next level, while chic and practical suits from the likes of Christian Dior and Balmain endure for haute couture advocates and beyond. 

And vintage is the name of the game on today’s red carpets, too. Celebrity stylists are turning to archival pieces created by the likes of Bob Mackie, Thierry Mugler and Jean-Paul Gaultier as alternatives to new gowns plucked straight off the runway. Wearing such sought-after items gives celebrities instant allure and suggests a personal style that’s not only achingly glamorous but intellectually informed and influenced by a love of craftsmanship. 

Those seeking contemporary luxury looks and in-demand street-style fits can indulge in designs by Bottega Veneta, Miu Miu and Loro Piana, while pieces from Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Versace endure as examples of fashion’s most covetable goods. 

The future — and glamorous past — of fashion is yours for the wearing. Find vintage clothing and accessories for sale on 1stDibs, including designs by Balenciaga, Valentino, Celine, Loewe and more.