AZZEDINE ALAIA brown sleek leather belt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 70 (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:leather
- Condition:Excellent/very good (light surface scratches).
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10081681409
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: San Francisco, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1996 TOM FORD for GUCCI black spazzalato leather belt with gilt buckleBy Tom Ford, GucciLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, documented, plum silk 'obi' belt with black braided leather ties designed by Tom Ford for Gucci dating to fall of 2002. Also, as features in the fall ad campaign. Belt me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Belts
- 1990's DRIES VAN NOTEN black leather corset beltBy Dries van NotenLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black leather belt with lace up corset detailing designed by Dries Van Noten dating to the late 1990's. Size 70. Belt measures approximately: just under 5.5" at widest and...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Belts
- 1990's GIANNI VERSACE black leather belt with silver Medusa heads & Greek keyBy Gianni VersaceLocated in San Fransisco, CATextured black leather belt with Greek key stamping and cutouts with silver-tone Medusa heads designed by Gianni Versace dating to the 1990's. Belt is labeled a size 70. Belt holes f...Category
1990s French Belts
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA darkest green leather belt with brass hardwareBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CADarkest green leather belt with brass hardware designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. French size 70. Holes fall at approximately: 26", ...Category
1990s French Belts
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT belt with ric-rac accents, long ties and tasselsBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery interesting fabric belt with ric-rac accents, long ties and multi-colored tassels from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1970's. Labeled a size '4'. Belt measures approximately: ...Category
20th Century French Belts
- 1986 YVES SAINT LAURENT pony fur RUNWAY belt with grey leather trimBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAGrey, pony fur belt with grey leather trim from Yves Saint Laurent dating to fall of 1986 as seen on the runway. Labeled a size Medium. Fits a size 4 to 6 (27"-29"). Belt measures ap...Category
1980s French Belts
- ALAÏA SS 1992 teal laser cut leather runway BeltBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHThis teal belt dating from SS 1992 runway is an ideal way to incorporate one of Alaïa’s key codes into your everyday wardrobe. It's made from smooth leather, w...Category
1990s French Belts
- Roberto Cavalli Belt Animal Print 90sLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLThis one-of-a kind animal print belt designed by Roberto Cavalli often feature his signature style, which includes elements like animal prints. Anima...Category
1990s Italian Belts
- Calvin Klein Spring 1979 Wrap Belt DocumentedBy Calvin KleinLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Calvin Klein Belt Spring 1979 Documented Double layer with piping Can be wrapped many ways One Size Excellent Condition Neutral color palette Feels like heavy canvas or Be...Category
1970s Unknown Belts
- Nina Ricci Passamenterie Belt with Tassels Dark Green 1990'sBy Nina RicciLocated in Los Angeles, CANina Ricci Passamenterie Belt with Tassels Deep green Four tassels at tie closure Braided detail Circa 1980's or 1990's Total Length: 52 inches Width: 2.25 inches Waist Size close...Category
Late 20th Century French Belts
- Gianni versace, black patent leather waist beltBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLGianni versace, black patent leather waist belt. The item is in good condition, hardware has light scratches and patent leather has wrinkles. (1991) • CONDITION: good condition • ...Category
1990s Belts
- Sterling Silver Floral and Leaf Decorated Sash Belt Buckle, c1840Located in valatie, NYSterling Silver Floral and Leaf Decorated Sash Belt Buckle, c1840. The design work of stylized flowers and shells is crisp and has a beautiful patina. The center has a place for init...Category
Early 20th Century Belts