UNWORN Alaia Black Suede Ruffle Platform Ankle Sandals High Heels 38
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Showroom piece. Unworn, with Alaia dustbag Minor imperfection/wear/scuffing from showroom mainly on outer soles.
- Seller Location:Switzerland, CH
- Reference Number:
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: DXB, United Arab Emirates
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- UNWORN Alaia Black Suede Platform Lace Up Boots Booties High Heels 37.5By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Switzerland, CHAn AZZEDINE ALAIA classic signature piece that will last you for years This gorgeous pair of booties are made out of finest black suede with lace up details at ankles Size 37.5 Made ...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- NEW Gucci Exotic Chocolate Brown Alligator Skin High Heel Peep Toes Sandals 39.5By GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHGORGEOUS GUCCI CHOCOLATE BROWN HIGH HEEL PEEP TOE MADE OUT OF REAL ALLIGATOR SKIN - NO PRINT! DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you fo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- NEW Gucci Exotic Chocolate Brown Skin High Heel Peep Toes Sandals 37.5By GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHGORGEOUS GUCCI CHOCOLATE BROWN HIGH HEEL PEEP TOE MADE OUT OF REAL ALLIGATOR SKIN - NO PRINT! DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you fo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- NEW Prada Black Exotic Skin Crocodile Platform High Heels Pumps 40.5By PradaLocated in Switzerland, CHA PRADA signature piece that will last you for years Pure luxury! A real statement piece With platform and very high heels - for ultra-long legs! The most luxurious skin you can find on earth - shiny, thick, black leather - just gorgeous! Real crocodile...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- NEW Black Gucci Suede Brocade Pineapple High Heel Sandals Pumps Velvet Bowtie 38By GucciLocated in Switzerland, CHStunning pair of Gucci suede high heels with brocade „pineapple“ print. Closes with velvet lace up bow tie detail Leather lined insoles 13cm tall heels Siz...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Unique Prada Flower Heel Exotic Black Crocodile High Heel Sandals Mules 38By PradaLocated in Switzerland, CHBeautiful Prada High Heel Sandals Real crocodile skin in black color - no print From Prada's exotic skin collection The heel is in the shape of a flower...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Balenciaga Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Black 35 FRBy BalenciagaLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBalenciaga Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Black Brand: Balenciaga Product: Eiffel Tower Crystal Stretch Knit Knife Boot Size: 35 Fr Colour: Black With Crysta...Category
2010s Shoes
- Vintage 1970's Red Yellow Stripe Black Vinyl Glam Rock Platform Knee-High BootsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAmazing 1970's British glam rock black leather boots in the most incredible ruby-red and yellow bold vinyl stripe design. These boots have an inch stacked wooden base platform with a...Category
1970s English Boots
- Vintage 1970s Karina of Spain Floral Applique Black Leather Knee-High Mod BootsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAAmazing early 1970's Karina of Spain designer black leather boots with the most incredible floral swirl applique work! These boots have a unique scalloped edging which works so well with the vibe. I love the shaped heel and seductive knee-high design. Boots like these will leave people speechless wherever you walk! Measurements Women US Size: 7.5-8 Ball of Foot: 3 inches Heel Length: 2 inches Shoe Height:17 inches These Karina of Spain designer boots...Category
1970s Spanish Boots
- Gianvito Rossi Black Suede Collared Décolleté Peep Toe Bootie – It 39, 2012By Gianvito RossiLocated in Tucson, AZSeen on Kate Moss, Kate Hudson, Katie Holmes and countless other fashion illuminati, these eye-catching stilettos are the stuff of legend. Said to combine...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Jimmy Choo Black Satin Shoes Rhinestones Feathers Heels Size 37By Jimmy ChooLocated in Portland, ORThese black satin Jimmy Choo shoes are perfect for the holidays! These designer heels have pretty black feathers and rhinestones and are labeled a size ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Vintage Horsebit Gucci Shoes in Black Suede Size 7.5 With BoxBy FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThese black suede vintage Gucci shoes have the classic silver horse bit buckles and are marked a size 7 and 1/2 B. The calf suede shoes come with ...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes