Alaia Black Sleeveless Fit Flare Dress sz S
View Similar Items
Alaia Black Sleeveless Fit Flare Dress sz S
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Very good pre-owned condition with the exception of some minor wear throughout fabric including a small hole at under arm.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 113229-161stDibs: LU2041836013
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.
- ALAIA Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress sz 42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress Features micro-pleats throughout Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 90% viscose, 5% nylon, 5% polyester Lining: None Closure/o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Babydoll Day Dresses
$725 Sale Price63% Off - ALAIA Black Knit Fit Flare Dress w/ Metallic Detail sz 40By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Knit Fit Flare Dress Features scoop neckline and black metallic textured stripe design Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 45% viscose, 35% wool,15% polyester, 5% ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Informal Dresses
$900 Sale Price59% Off - Alaia Navy Sleeveless Gathered Fit Flare sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Navy Sleeveless Gathered Fit Flare Made In: Italy Color: Navy Composition: 80% viscose, 20% polyester Lining: None Closure/Opening: Pull over Exterio...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Alaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42 Features eyelet throughout Made In: Italy Color: Mauve / lavender Composition: 85% viscose, 10% polyester, 5% nylon Lining: None Closu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz LBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz L Made In: Italy Color: Grey Materials: 50% cotton, 25% viscose, 20% nylon, 5% polyester Opening/Closure: Hidden back zipper Overal...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Alaia Brown Wool Fit & Flare V-Neck Dress Sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Brown Wool Fit & Flare V-Neck Dress Sz FR42 Made In: Italy Color: Brown Composition: 78% Wool, 12% polyester, 6% cupro, 4% nylon Lining: None Closure/opening: Back center zip ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Red Camouflage Dress Pink Lurex Silk Patch Work Vintage DesignerBy J DAUPHINLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigner J Dauphin Repurposed Vintage US Military Camouflage Dress with Pink Silk and Red Satin. Gold tone vintage Brass Military Vintage Buttons fr...Category
2010s American Mini Dresses
- Red Camouflage Dress Pink Lurex Silk Patch Work Vintage DesignerBy J DAUPHINLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigner J Dauphin Repurposed Vintage US Military Camouflage Dress with Pink Silk and Red Satin. Gold tone vintage Brass Military Vintage Buttons fr...Category
2010s American Mini Dresses
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$211 Sale Price20% Off - Moschino 2000s Black Wool Sheath Dress LBDBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Brindisi, BtMoschino Cheap and Chic vintage 2000s black sheath dress is a timeless piece made from high-quality wool. The dress is elegant and sophisticated...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses
$185 Sale Price20% Off - Guy Laroche Green Dots Silk DressBy Guy LarocheLocated in Paris, FRGuy Laroche green silk dress featuring a wrap effect, a jacquard ground with a dot print, 3/4 sleeve length. Composition: 100% Silk Circa 1980s Estimated size 38fr/US6 /UK10 In goo...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses