Alaia Ribbed Knit Dress and Cardigan circa 1980s
View Similar Items
Alaia Ribbed Knit Dress and Cardigan circa 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 37.5 in (95.25 cm)Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 22 in (55.88 cm)Hip: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 256291stDibs: LU58332470523
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.
- Hot Pink Fendi Cut-Out Sweater SS2018By FendiLocated in Los Angeles, CAHot Pink Cut-out Sweater by Fendi Spring/Summer 2018 Fendi knit sweater with neck cut-out High Neck 3/4 sleeves Mink Fur cuffs with ribbon Pullo...Category
2010s Italian Sweaters
- Chanel White Multicolor Cashmere Logo Print Intarsia Sweater F2021By ChanelLocated in Los Angeles, CAWhite Multicolor Cashmere Logo Print Intarsia Sweater by Chanel Fall 2021 Made in U.K. White with multicolor 'Coco Chanel' logo print detail Ribbed w...Category
2010s British Sweaters
- Christian Lacroix Floral Mini DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in Los Angeles, CAMulticolor floral mini dress by Christian Lacroix Floral graphic print Spaghetti strap Zip side with hook and eye closure 100% silk Made in France...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Vintage Norman Norell Polka-Dot DressBy Norman NorellLocated in Los Angeles, CAProduct Details: Vintage long sleeve polka-dot dress by Norman Norell Multicolor polka-dots Long sleeve dress High neck Wrap scarf design with snap closure Pleated waist Button ...Category
Late 20th Century American Day Dresses
- Moschino Text Print DressBy MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAText print dress by Moschino Cheap and Chic Shift dress Blue and white striped graphic print Round neck Sleeveless Zip back closure Made in France Con...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Stephen Sprouse 1984 Neon Knit DressBy Stephen SprouseLocated in Los Angeles, CANeon Knit Dress by Stephen Sprouse 1984 collection Neon pink Jewel neckline Neon pink button closure on left shoulder Hits above the knee Wool blen...Category
1980s Unknown Day Dresses
- Vintage ISSEY MIYAKE Brown Knit Striped EnsembleBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage late 80s and 1990s ISSEY MIYAKE Brown, taupe, light grey striped Sweater knit top and Wrap skirt. Fit size 4/6 SMALL - MEDIUM Bust : 36 inch / Skirt is elastic 26 - 30 i...Category
1980s Japanese Mini Dresses
- 90s KRIZIA Pink Racer Back Mini knit DressBy KriziaLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1990s KRIZIA Light Pink racer back Mini Sweater dress. Size: 2/4 XSMALL - SMALL Measurement: Bust: 30 inch - 32 inch ( stretch) Waist: same as bus...Category
1990s Italian Casual Dresses
$600 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Gianfranco Ferre Tan Leather and Wool Knit DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Beverly Hills, CA90s Gianfranco Ferre Tan leather and wool knit long sleeve dress. zipper at the back. Dress in excellent condition except for tiny smudge in suede lining ( see picture attached) Fit ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980s KRIZIA Metallic Silver and White Cougar Knit DressBy KriziaLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1980s Krizia silver and white double cougar sweater dress. fit size: 2/4/6/ Bust: 38" / Waist: 38"/ Hip: 38" Length: 32"Category
1980s Italian Mini Dresses
$460 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Claude Montana Navy Blue ' Scuba ' Cardigan / Sweater DressBy Claude MontanaLocated in San Diego, CAIncredible vintage Claude Montana navy blue 'scuba' style wool cardigan, OR sweater dress! Impeccable eye to construction, which results in an a...Category
1980s Italian Cardigans
- Comme des Garcons Black Cardigan with Afghan Knit Details 2009By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAComme des Garcons button front black knit cardigan sweater dress with multicolor Afghan knit appliqué on front. Excellent Condition. Size Small Measurem...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Day Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
The Personal Luxury Goods Market amid COVID-19
1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.