Azzedine Alaïa Blue and Cream Fitted Body Con Dress
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaïa Blue and Cream Fitted Body Con Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38/6 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Stretch textured Viscose Zipper
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: jas1stDibs: LU2848612032
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.
- Mary Farrin London Aqua Cotton Crochet Slip Dress & Dolman Sleeve Sweater 1970sBy Mary FarrinLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMary Farrin London aqua cotton crochet slip dress & dolman sleeve sweater from the 1970s. Simple pull on slip dress with spaghetti straps that can be adjusted by sewing to adjust, we have tied at the shoulder top. The dress has a cased cord at the bodice top front to adjust. Narrow ruffle top edge. A line shape. Together with the original matching sweater that closes at the waist with cased elastic waist & a hook & eye. Long dolman sleeves. The back has a 30s inspired art deco sun ray...Category
1970s Maltese Informal Dresses
- The Mirrors vintage aqua and green silk print maxi dress with white trim 1970sLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage aqua and green silk print maxi dress with white trim 1970s...Labeled the Mirrors...Scoop neck fitted bodice with 3/4 length sleeves that have a band and ruffle below...The at...Category
1970s British Maxi Dresses
$295 Sale Price46% Off - Balenciaga Blue and White Silk Dot Print Asymmetrical DressBy BalenciagaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBalenciaga blue and white silk dot and small square print asymmetrical dress. Smock style dress is gathered at the round neckline and closes ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
$260 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Valentino cream and black silk polka dot chiffon dress 1980sBy Valentino, Valentino GaravaniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLValentino, Miss V cream and black silk chiffon polka dot dress...Next to Valentino "red", navy and off white polka dots are a recurring theme in many of Valentino's designs...The simplicity of this dress will take it from casual to dressy with the addition of accessories, half the fun of dressing! Bateau neckline dress...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1990s John Anthony marine blue silk cocktail dressBy John AnthonyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGorgeous John Anthony cocktail dress in marine blue silk...Chic cut and simplicity of design are what set John Anthony dresses apart, you just know you look fabulous when you put on ...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- Etro Black Cocktail Dress with Dotted Tulle Sleeves and Satin HemBy EtroLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEtro black cocktail dress with dotted tulle sleeves and satin bias ruffle hem. Flirty dress has princess seams and is pieced with wool and satin, it is fitted through the torso. Long...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Christian Dior John Galliano Cadillac Car Plate Dua Lipa Beach Stamp Dress PareoBy Christian DiorLocated in PARIS, FRChristian Dior By John Galliano Cadillac FW 2001 Car Plate Dua Lipa Beach Stamp Dress Skirt Pareo Sarong Bustier Christian Dior by John Galliano pareo / sk...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dresses
- Cheongsam Midnight Blue DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Cheongsam Brocade Dress is fit for a royal. The beautiful Midnight blue combined with the intricate floral brocade fabric will make you feel and look your best. This dress is p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Escada Blue Tie Dye Strappy Sun DressBy EscadaLocated in Scottsdale, AZHow stunning is this Escada tie-dye sun dress?! A beautiful 100% silk chiffon comes together with a poly lining and a sleek multi-strap detail at the center which draws in the eye an...Category
2010s Slovenian Casual Dresses
- 1990s Emilio Pucci Halter Wrap DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Scottsdale, AZGet your hands on this magical 1990s Emilio Pucci halter wrap dress! Emilio Pucci presents his signature whimsical graphic this time in a serene pa...Category
1990s Italian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Jean Patou Silk Chiffon Print DressBy Jean PatouLocated in Oakland, CAStunning vintage Jean Patou silk printed dress. Lightest sheer silk chiffon. Vibrant turquoise and white vertical print. Square neckline, puff sl...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Gucci Black & Blue Dot Print Silk Draped Mini Dress MBy GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Look your fashionable best when you wear this lovely Gucci dress. Tailored from silk, the mini dress has draped details and polka dots all over. Trust this black and blue to keep you...Category
2010s Italian Mini Dresses