Alaia crocodile heels
View Similar Items
Alaia crocodile heels
About the Item
- Designer:
- Style:crocodile (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3223221953472
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.
- GIVENCHY SS24 Show slingbacks in patent leatherBy Givenchy Nouvelle BoutiqueLocated in Paris, FRGIVENCHY SS24 Show slingbacks in patent leather SIZE 36 Slingbacks with pointy toe in patent calfskin leather. Show line. Décolleté. Thin strap to wrap around the ankle with gol...Category
2010s European Shoes
- PRADA Baby pink embroidered Paillettes and pearls ballerina FW1999By PradaLocated in Paris, FRTag: PRADA Size 40 ( IT ) / 9 US / 7,5 UK Lenght: 28cm/ 11,02 inches Comes with bags and original box Good vintage condition, 1 paillette is missing on a side and 2 littles ones on the front Shipping worldwide with tracking numberCategory
1990s European Shoes
- GUY LAROCHE FW1994 Feather hatBy Guy LarocheLocated in Paris, FRGUY LAROCHE FW1994 Feather hat Feather hat on a cap lined with satin. bright pink Size max 55cm Real feathers Delicate work Shades of beige / gray / pale blue / pink. In very good condition Worn by Yasmeen Ghauri during the show, her name is written inside the hat Shipping worldwide with tracking numberCategory
1990s European Hats
- Emporio Armani silver hatBy EMPORIO ARMANI EA7Located in Paris, FREMPORIO ARMANI SILK silver hat with silver EA Tag EMPORIO ARMANI Size 57 100% silk Perfect condition Shipping worldwide with tracking numberCategory
Early 2000s European Hats
$1,745 - GIORGIO ARMANI Dark grey silk flower scarfBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in Paris, FRGIORGIO ARMANI Dark grey silk flower scarf Tag GIORGIO ARMANI 50cm x 10cm 60% polyester 40% silk Perfect condition With tag Shipping worldwide with t...Category
Early 2000s European Scarves
- GIORGIO ARMANI FW2004 hat with black feathers and pearlsLocated in Paris, FRTag GIORGIO ARMANI Size 58 Stretchy The material's label has been cut but it's very soft inside ( silk/ viscose ) + real feathers and black pearls Per...Category
Early 2000s Hats
- Lanvin High Style New Sandals, 2011By Lanvin ParisLocated in Water Mill, NYSigned and Dated 2011 Lanvin High Style New Sandals in Original Box and Dust Bag..sizes are shown bellowCategory
20th Century Italian Shoes
- Green Leather Céline Phoebe Philo Knee High Boots 38By CelineLocated in Los Angeles, CAGreen Leather Céline Boots Hits right under knee Soft Almond Toe Stacked Wooden Heel Buttery soft leather interior EU38, fits true Heel height 4 inches Minor but noticeable sc...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Donna Karan Suede Ankle Wrap Sandals 1990's Size 6.5By Donna KaranLocated in Los Angeles, CA1990's Donna Karan Suede Flats Open Toe Ankle Wrap Suede self covered slight wedge Size 6.5, fits true Bottom shows wear, upper in good condition, minor wear Made in ItalyCategory
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Christophe Lemaire Black Ankle Boot FW 2013/14 Size 39Located in Los Angeles, CALemaire (Christophe Lemaire) Fall Winter 2013/2014 Low Boot Size 39 (Fits true, if a little small) 4 Inch Heel Almond Toe Warm Black Leather Stitch ...Category
2010s Portuguese Shoes
- Stephane Kélian Woven 4 inch Pump Size FR 5.5 US 7.5By Stephane KélianLocated in Los Angeles, CAQuintessential Woven Pointed Toe Pump Stephane Kélian 1990's 4 Inch Heel Braided Ankle Strap Detail Size equivalent to US 7.5 Upper in great condition, soles shows moderate wear ...Category
Late 20th Century French Shoes
- Dries Van Noten Embossed Leather T-Strap Curved Heel Size 37By Dries van NotenLocated in Los Angeles, CADries Van Noten Embossed T-Strap Sandals Black Leather Tall Curved Heel, Wrapped in Embossed Leather Wrap Around Straps & Buckle Closure at Ankles Size: 37, Fits true Heel height 4.5...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes