1980s Alaïa Abstract Print Cotton Oversize Shirt
View Similar Items
1980s Alaïa Abstract Print Cotton Oversize Shirt
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 26 in (66.04 cm)Marked Size: 44 Italian (EU)Bust: 44 in (111.76 cm)Waist: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:Seller: M17016131stDibs: LU52332777063
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.
- Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Black and Gold Fleur de Lis Print Silk BlouseBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Salvatore Ferragamo long sleeve silk blouse is in a lovely fleur de lis black and gold print. This double breasted blouse is collarless and has a pleated detail near the...Category
1970s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Vintage Pauline Trigere Gold Metallic Faux Wrap Style Evening BlouseBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Portland, ORThis stunning vintage gold lame blouse was designed by Pauline Trigere for Bergdorf Goodman in the late 1970's. The blouse is hard to show in photos,...Category
1970s North American Blouses
- Gianni Versace "Native American" Print Silk ShirtBy Gianni Versace, VersaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZA very rare true piece of wearable art created by Gianni Versace, circa 1993. A beautiful Gianni Versace Silk Print in excellent condition, the "Nat...Category
1990s Italian Collars
- Roberto Cavalli Snake Print DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Scottsdale, AZIncredible 2000s dress from iconic designer Roberto Cavalli! Form fitting dress featuring a snake print with a gold metallic finish, gold toned front zipper, lightly pleated skirt with great movement and dramatic long sleeves. V-neck and pleating at the front provide a flattering fit. Leotard bottoms inside. A true show stopper, this vintage piece will pair perfectly with your favorite Tom Ford for Gucci or YSL pumps...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shirts
- Chanel Vintage Coin Print Silk BlouseBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is a cool and luxe Chanel blouse you need in your collection! Made fully of a beautifully soft silk with a chocolate brown background and varying sized of gold coins with "31 RUE CAMBON" and "CC" details. Seen on celebrities like Miley Cyrus, this is a great find. This blouse is from the 1990's and is in great vintage condition with no notable flaws. There is a unique stand collar that gives this blouse a very interesting but understated design element. It features a front button closure, logo embossed cuff link style buttons at french cuff, and a patch pocket at bust. Dress this blouse up or down with ease. Dress it down with a pair of your favorite vintage denim, white t-shirt, and some Prada loafers or a Chanel mini skirt...Category
1990s Italian Blouses
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Sheer Blush Pink Lurex Knit Belted TopBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a semi-sheer blush pink lurex Gucci blouse, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, versions of this shimmery top debuted on the season's runway with...Category
Early 2000s Italian Blouses