1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black flared sleeveless dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 34 in (86.36 cm)Marked Size: fits XS or S (EU)Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content label missing however it is made of: 60% viscose, 36% nylon and 4% spandex.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear under arms.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8115234462
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 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
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black sleeveless dress with ruffled hemlineBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare jet black dress with scalloped trim and semi sheer skirt with decorative diamond embroidered hemline from Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 1990's, Dress is labeled a size...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black sleeveless knit dress with sheer hemBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black knit wool dress with semi sheer crochet detail designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Labeled a size XS. Measures approximately (unstretched): 24" at bust, 18" at...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- rare AZZEDINE ALAIA black 'Plissé Abeille' hand pleated dress - unwornBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, knit 'Plissé Abeille' dress from Azzedine Alaia dating to 2014 and seen on the runway. Dress is labeled a French size 38. Approximate un-stretched measurements: shoulder ...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- 1970's RADLEY black gauze maxi dress with pink stitchingBy RadleyLocated in San Fransisco, CASoft-black, lightweight, cotton gauze maxi dress with pink stitching made by Radley dating to the 1970's. UK size 12. Dress was photographed on a size 2 mannequin and was not clipped...Category
1970s British Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia navy knitted virgin wool bodycon hooded dress, fw 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia knitted virgin wool dress ▪ Single zip fastening circles the body starting at the right hip and ending at the left breast ▪ Integral hood with scarf ending on one si...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Martin Margiela artisanal dress made from reclaimed vintage dresses, fw 1993By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Rare Martin Margiela artisanal maxi dress ▪ Made from a patchwork of damaged 1940s dresses sourced by the designer at the flea markets in Paris ▪ Small - Medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren grey smock dress, ss 1983By Worlds End, Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ A rare Worlds End grey cotton smock dress ▪ Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren ▪ Tain panel at the front skirt which can be worn as a shawl ▪ Drawstring neckline ...Category
1980s English Day Dresses
- Azzedine Alaïa green and black wool jersey wrap dress, fw 1982By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaïa wool jersey wrap dress ▪ Green long-sleeve bodice ▪ Black knee-length wrap skirt ▪ Black patent leather straps with metal buckle ▪ Press studs at the center-back o...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Antik Batik Green Wool Sequins Boho Chic Tunic DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik 2000s woman dress. Boho chic dress, long tunic model. Green color with sequin applications from green to purple. 100% transparent wool fabric. ...Category
Early 2000s Indian Caftans