Azzedine Alaia Wrap Leather Cutout Black Top
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaia Wrap Leather Cutout Black Top
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU162417005292
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.
- New Gucci Mesh Wrap Bra Crop TopBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLNew Gucci Mesh Wrap Bra Crop Top IT 42Category
2010s Shirts
- Jean Paul Gaultier c. 1980 Vintage Clueless Crop TopBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier c. 1980 Vintage Clueless Crop Top IT 44Category
1980s Shirts
- Versace S/S 2005 Embellished Belted Plunging Wrap Crop TopBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2005 Embellished Belted Plunging Wrap Crop Top IT 38Category
Early 2000s Crop Tops
- Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2001 Logo Cutout Semi-Sheer Black TopBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier S/S 2001 Logo Cutout Semi-Sheer Black TopCategory
Early 2000s Shirts
- Azzedine Alaia Vintage Cutout Wrap TopBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAlaïa top with abstract print throughout, surplice neck and buckle closure at waist. Size not listed, estimated from measurements. All Eyes on Alaïa For th...Category
1990s Shirts
- Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2006 Runway Sheer Black Bustier Corset Lace Up TopBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier S/S 2006 Runway Sheer Black Bustier Corset Lace Up Top IT 42 Look 46 from the Spring 2006 Collection.Category
Early 2000s Bustiers
- Christian Lacroix SS-2003 Nylon Mix Primitiv Print TopBy Christian Lacroix Paris, Christian LacroixLocated in Brussels, BESportswear -and colored bodywear- were key trends during the 1990s, when lycra took over fashion and changed the way designers made their collections. Despite his love of volume and ...Category
1990s French Blouses and Tops
- Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford FW-2003 Cotton Jersey Draped Sleeveless TopBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Brussels, BEA highlight from the Fall/Winter 2003 YSL collection, this sensually draped top emphasizes every curve, while the semi-sheer finish of its jersey does not leave much room to the imag...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Halston Black Crepe Studded Tunic, c.1970s.By HalstonLocated in New York, NYHalston Black Crepe Studded Tunic, c.1970s. Halston Black Crepe Tunic featuring bateau neckline and elasticated waist. Allover studs creates a Starry night effect. Diffusion Line ...Category
1970s American Tunics
- S/S 1991 Gianni Versace Vogue Pop Art Printed Silk ShirtBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCGianni Versace Vogue vintage multicolored printed pop art shirt from the Spring 1991 collection. Featuring the iconic Vogue print with Vogue magaz...Category
1990s Italian Shirts
- F/W 1992 Gianni Versace Bondage Buckle Bustier Bra Top Miss S&MBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCGianni Versace Couture black bustier bra top from the Fall/Winter 1992 “Miss S&M” collection. As seen on Yasmeen Ghauri, and Helena Christensen on the Fall Winter 1992 runway, and on...Category
1990s Italian Bustiers
- KENZO FW 1992 black silk Bustier NEW with tagBy Kenzo Paris, Kenzo TakadaLocated in Genève, CHKenzo black satin corset bustier with structured bust is from the last collection designed by Kenzo Takada himself. New conditions. - 7 fabric buttons fastening - Fully lined - 67% Acetate / 33% Silk - FW...Category
1990s French Bustiers