1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA saffron cotton dress with full skirt & snap closure
View Similar Items
1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA saffron cotton dress with full skirt & snap closure
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 50 in (127 cm)Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Light wear including creasing at waist.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU814576171
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.
- AZZEDINE ALAIA black wool dress with seamed flared skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black wool dress with boat-neckline, set in waistband and seamed skirt from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Slips on over the head. Dress fits a size small. Approximate meas...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI brown velvet dress with asymmetrical hemlineBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown velvet dress with v-neck and asymmetrical hemline from Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Fits a size 6 or 8. Approximate measurements: shoulde...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- 1980's CLAUDE MONTANA black knit dress with bubble hemline and open knit backBy Claude MontanaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, uniquely shaped, jet-black knit dress with bubble hem and open knit back from Claude Montana dating to the 1980's. French size 40, which fits a US 4-6. Unstretched dress m...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990's YVES SAINT LAURENT black denim strapless dress with shell buttonsBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAStrapless, black denim dress with oversized shell buttons and horizontal pockets at hips from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the late 1980's, early 1990's. No size is indicated however...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- 1970's EMILIO PUCCI archery print silk jersey dress with hand stitchingBy Emilio PucciLocated in San Fransisco, CAVivid yellow silk jersey dress with whimsical archery print and hand stitched and hand pleated detail designed by Emilio Pucci dating to the 1970's. Fits a US 4 or 6. Approximate mea...Category
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- COMME DES GARCONS navy blue sheer dress with rufflesBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CANavy blue, asymmetrically cut dress with ruffles from Comme Des Garcons dating to 2008. Size S. Approximate measurements: bust 38", hip 42" and length 40". Sli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
- Vintage 1930's Cartwright Ivory Striped Silk Rayon Cut-Out Maxi Dress & JacketLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThe vibrant rainbow-stripe used on this ivory silk rayon 1930's "Cartwright" designer dress ensemble has a whimsical allure that I find irresistible. The sleeveless bodice has a flir...Category
1930s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Anne Verdi Champagne Sequin Lace & Tulle Bustle Back Bridal DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal 1950's Anne Verdi designer champagne lace hourglass cocktail dress from the Old Hollywood era of glamour! The fabric itself is a masterpiece; high-...Category
1950s American Wedding Dresses
- Chic 1960s Yellow + Orange + White Short Sleeve Belted Vintage 60s Mod Day DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 1960s yellow, orange, burnt orange and white geometric abstract belted short sleeve day dress! Flattering fit, with a detachable belt to form a waistline. Hidden metal zip...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
$595 Sale Price20% Off - Luca Luca Size 44 US 12 / 14 Embroidered Cotton + Linen Pastel Halter DressBy LUCA LUCALocated in San Diego, CAChic LUCA LUCA halter dress! Soft cotton and linen blend. Embroidered flowers and leaves printed throughout. Beautiful pastel colors in yellow, green, orange and brown throughout. Fu...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$636 Sale Price20% Off - 1960s Yellow + Pink + Green Flower Power Cotton Vintage 60s Scooter Dress TwiggyLocated in San Diego, CASuper chic vintage yellow, green, pink, purple and white daisy flower print cotton skooter dres! Features a nice tailored bodice with a pleated flat...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
$491 Sale Price25% Off - The Rodnik Band Limited Edition Nautical Novelty Tattoo Print New Size 10 DressLocated in San Diego, CARare and limited edition THE RODNIK BAND novelty nautical silk dress! Features blue and white squiggly stripes on the body of the dress, with yellow po...Category
2010s English Cocktail Dresses
$750 Sale Price21% Off