S/S 1989 Azzedine Alaïa Runway Black Cutout Collar Knit Bodycon Stretch Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: L (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear throughout. Light pilling throughout.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388218578792
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: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- S/S 2001 Gianni Versace by Donatella Black Viscose Leather Trim Ruched DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a sensual black Versace dress, designed by Donatella Versace. From the Spring/Summer 2001 collection, the printed blue version of this dress debuted on the season's runway...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Roberto Cavalli Floral Abstract Watercolor Silk Stretch Flare DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning cream and multicolor floral Roberto Cavalli dress. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, this slip dress features a v-neckline, flared skirt, and high-low hem...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2005 Roberto Cavalli Runway Black Studded Pleat Boned Strapless Mini DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning black pleated Roberto Cavalli mini dress. From the Fall/Winter 2005 collection, a nearly identical version of this dress appeared on the season's runway as look 49 modeled by Gemma Ward...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1989 Valentino Garavani Ad Campaign Black Sheer Panel Bodycon Cocktail DressBy Valentino, Valentino GaravaniLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful black sheer Valentino Garavani cocktail dress. From the Spring/Summer 1989 collection, this fabulous dress was highlighted in the season's ad campaign modeled ...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Cherry Blossom Print Stretch Viscose Mini DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a cherry blossom print Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2003 collection, the short sleeve version of this ico...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1989 Azzedine Alaïa Runway Stretch Knit Black Cap Sleeve Bodycon Mini DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a vintage black Azzedine Alaïa bodycon dress. From the Spring/Summer 1989 collection, this perfect form-fitting little black dress featu...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Leonard of Paris Pastel Silk Chiffon Day / Evening DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYPretty pastel silk chiffon Leonard of Paris special occasion day / evening dress. Bodice has a ruffled capelet that flows from the center of the dress...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- Alexander McQueen Runway/Editorial Fall/Winter 2005 Brown Sweater Dress Size MBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLAlexander McQueen Vintage Runway/Editorial Fall/Winter 2005 Brown Sweater Dress Size MediumCategory
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Pink Ascot Dress & Jacket S/S 2008 Sz 4By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Flirty pink and black dress with matching jacket. This dress was featured on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary ...Category
Early 2000s American Informal Dresses
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Off-Shoulder Black Dress 1990sBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Berlin, BEThe perfect little black vintage dress by Chanel. This classic beauty is a 1990s piece designed by Karl Lagerfeld. This elegant Chanel dress is an incredible classic that will truly...Category
1990s French Mini Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
Barbra Streisand Channeled Klimt’s ‘Woman in Gold’ in This Shimmering Dress
Costumer to the stars Ray Aghayan brought the famed painting to life with his spectacular design.