Azzedine Alaia black white polka dot sleeveless flare babydoll mini dress FR 36
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 34 in (86.36 cm)Marked Size: 36 (EU)Bust: 31 in (78.74 cm)Waist: 23 in (58.42 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2314216304052
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: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chloe S04 strapless plisse green silk chiffon layered bustier midi length dressBy ChloéLocated in Paris, FRChloe Spring Summer 2004 strapless plisse green silk dress Boning to the upper portion Cinched in waist Long rope ties with beaded ends wrap around the ne...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage cottagecore prairie cotton white red floral print halter backless dressLocated in Paris, FRA beautiful vintage dress most likely from the 1970's Cottagecore style maxi length dress in white with red, yellow and green floral print Halt...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
- Christian Dior Resort 2018 brown cream floral print corset bustier midi dressBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior Resort 2018 Cream midi length dress with brown floral print Boned corset upper with underwire cups Button up front which is f...Category
2010s French Evening Dresses
- Vintage floral print lilac sheer puff sleeve maxi dressLocated in Paris, FRVintage full length dress in lilac with pink, yellow and green floral print Sheer puff 3/4 length sleeves Cinched waist Full double layered s...Category
1970s Unknown Maxi Dresses
- Chloe brown strapless corset bustier layered chiffon satin maxi dress gown 36By ChloéLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Please note that the model is 6 foot 1" / 185 cm and wearing very high heels - on someone shorter this dress would be much longer Chloe strapless bustier dress in...Category
2010s French Evening Dresses
- Vilshenko black pink floral print silk puff sleeve mock neck maxi dress XS - SBy VilshenkoLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Vilshenko black dress with pink, yellow and green floral print Button up neckline Mock neck Cinched waist Puff sleeves Loose tiered skirt Concealed back zip Attac...Category
2010s Maxi Dresses
- Leonard of Paris Pastel Silk Chiffon Day / Evening DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYPretty pastel silk chiffon Leonard of Paris special occasion day / evening dress. Bodice has a ruffled capelet that flows from the center of the dress...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- Dolce and Gabbana ss 2010 runway denim and leather dress with boned corsetBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana (D&G) runway dress from their Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Made of denim and leather with a suede ruffle skirt and details. This is a really unique piece, with emb...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Mesh Nomad Ethnic Tribal Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Indian DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Collector Catwalk Mesh Transparent Sheer Nomad Ethnic Tribal Indian Western Aztec Tattoo Tatouages Long Maxi Dress Extremely rare "Tatouages" dress from Jean Paul Gaultier! Museum piece! "Tim Blanks’ Top Fashion Shows of All Time Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring/Summer 1994, October 1993: BoF’s Editor-at-Large journeys back to a show that fused Indian mysticism, 18th century silhouettes...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Gucci G Rhombus Brown & Ivory Print Dress Silk 40 ITBy GucciLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Gucci Product: G Rombus Print Dress Silk Size: 40 It Colour: Brown & Ivory Material 100% Silk Condition: Pristine; Never Worn Details - Removable Tie - 5 Front Button Closure - Side Zip - Pleated Skirt - Long Sleeves - Fitted Waist - Collar - 2019 Collection Accompanied By: Gucci Garment Bag...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Ossie Clark pink silk chiffon maxi dress with Celia Birtwell print, ss 1976By Ossie ClarkLocated in London, GB▪ Ossie Clark pink silk chiffon maxi dress ▪ Georges Seurat inspired print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Red, blue and green with pink ground ▪ String cleavage fastening ▪ Criss-cross string ...Category
1970s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld orange and brown knit and tweed jacket dress, fw 1995By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel orange and brown rib knit wool dress ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Checked boucle jacket attached to front of dress ▪ CC logo buttons ▪ 4 front pockets ▪ Long knitted ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses