Vintage Alaia Black Wool Knit Dolman Sleeve Dress
View Similar Items
Vintage Alaia Black Wool Knit Dolman Sleeve Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Marked Size: M (EU)Bust: 42 in (106.68 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Carmel, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4171078912
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.
- Courreges Couture Future Wool Belted A-Line Vintage DressBy André CourrègesLocated in Carmel, CACourreges 1970s A-line structured wool dress in navy features a belted waist with a zipper and button front closure. Dress is fully lined, made in Fran...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Dress 2005By Junya Watanabe, Comme des GarçonsLocated in Carmel, CAJunya Watanabe Comme des Garçons Dress 2005 Dress is made from 100% lightweight wool and seams are coated with rubber to conceal the seam edg...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Aesthetic Day Dresses
- 1970's Pierre Cardin Mod Structured Wool Navy Blue A Line DressBy Pierre CardinLocated in Carmel, CAVintage 1970's wool dress has a back zipper closure, button closures at the cuffs, decorative bow at the shoulder, A-line silhouette, and ruching at the sleeves. Dress has some norma...Category
1970s Evening Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta 2008 Summer Collection DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Carmel, CAOscar de la Renta dress from 2008 Summer collection. Dress is featured in a brown tribal print with a uniquely shaped halter neckline, boned bodice, ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Moschino Couture Question Mark Dress 1988-89By MoschinoLocated in Carmel, CAMoschino Couture Question Mark Dress 1988-89 Franco Moschino lifetime rare question mark dress from the late 1980's. Purchased at Ralph Davies in San Franc...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,120 Sale Price20% Off - Oscar de la Renta 2008 Raffia Dress & Bolero with Bead, Sequin EmbellishingBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Carmel, CAOscar de la Renta dress and bolero set 2008 Spring Collection—featured in a brown and forest green color with raffia throughout the cotton-blend fabric and bead and sequin Appliqué. ...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
$760 Sale Price20% Off
- Genny Fall Winter 1994/95 Mini Dress Flared Sleeve Documented IT44 Small /MediumBy GennyLocated in Los Angeles, CAGenny Wool Minidress Documented Autunno-Inverno 1994/95 (Autumn Winter 94/95) Knee length Minidress/Shift dress Flared sleeve Bateau neckline A-line , structured shape Dark brown ...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dresses
- Nina Ricci 'Boutique' Paris Black and White Wool DressBy Nina RicciLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Nina Ricci 'Boutique' 100% Wool Dress. Rolled collar and rolled hem. Fully lined.Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Yohji Yamamoto Black Leather Coat DressBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in Sharon, CTBeautiful avant garde leather and wool blend black outer coat dress.Category
Early 2000s Japanese Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- VERSACE JEANS COUTURE - Black Evening Halter Dress with Sequins Size 8US 40EUBy Versace Jeans Couture, Donatella VersaceLocated in Cuggiono, MIA simple yet sophisticated evening dress, very elegant and exclusive. It features a double string closure which can be knotted on the back of the neck and automatically adjusts to yo...Category
2010s Italian Sheath Dresses
- PRADA - Brown Tunic Tent Midi Dress with Three-Quarter Sleeves Size S/MBy Prada, Miuccia PradaLocated in Cuggiono, MIFollowing Prada's sleek yet iconic style, this tunic dress features a standing ruffled collar, three-quarter sleeves with similar ruffled edges. The polyester fabric is very soft and...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- Comme Des Garcons bias cut satin jersey dress, ss 1986By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Melbourne, AUThis Comme Des Garcons satin jersey dress from the Fall-Winter 1986 Bias Cutting collection is a great example of the brand’s innovative approach to fashion design. Renowned for thei...Category
1980s Japanese Day Dresses