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Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

French, 1935-2017

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.

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Designer: Azzedine Alaïa
Alaïa bag Spring 1992
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ALAÏA - (Made in Italy) Openwork white leather bag with silvery metal elements. 1992 Spring-Summer Ready-to-Wear Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 15 c...
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1990s Italian Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

Alaia Black Leather Edition 1992 Corset Bag
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
The Alaia Edition 1992 Corset bag is a timeless fashion piece. Crafted from premium black leather, it features a unique corset-inspired design with intricat...
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2010s Italian Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

ALAIA tan leather MINA 16 VIENNE WAVE Crossbody Tote Bag
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Alaïa Mina 16 micro tote bag in tan brown Vienne Wave calfskin leather. The Vienne pattern is inspired by precious lace and moucharabieh arch...
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21st Century and Contemporary French Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

Azzedine Alaia Ivory Mini Bowling Handbag
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Paris, FR
Azzedine Alaia Ivory leather mini bowling handbag featuring a top logo zip opening, an animal fake-fur detail pattern, two top handles an inside camel leather pocket. In good vintag...
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Early 2000s French Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

ALAIA Caramel Rose leather MINA 32 LASER CUT Tote Bag
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Alaïa's Mina 32 tote bag has been crafted in Italy from smooth caramel rose leather that's laser-cut with the Maison's intricate 'Vienne Circulaire' pattern. Opens wit...
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2010s French Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

1990s Alaïa Maroon Leather Portfolio
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Sleek and chic supple polished maroon leather Alaïa portfolio from the 1990s. Rectangular with a large front flap that closes with two large interior ma...
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1990s French Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

Alaïa 'Arabesque' Bag in Pearl Gray Smooth Lamb Leather
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Paris, FR
Alaia Arabesque bag in in pearl gray smooth lamb leather. It has silver metal studs. Worn by hand or on shoulder. The interior is lined with slightly aged pink leather and has 2 po...
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21st Century and Contemporary Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses

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Azzedine Alaïa handbags and purses for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Azzedine Alaïa handbags and purses available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of orange and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Christian Lacroix, Herve Léger, and Jean Paul Gaultier appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Azzedine Alaïa handbags and purses from top boutiques around the world. Azzedine Alaïa handbags and purses prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $2,447, while the average work can sell for $1,356.
Questions About Azzedine Alaïa Handbags and Purses
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    Azzedine Alaia, a French fashion designer known as the “King of Cling,” is known for his body-hugging designs that were sculpted to celebrate the female form. On 1stDibs, find a variety of dresses from Azzedine Alaia.

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