Azzedine Alaia blush 'flared' dress
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaia blush 'flared' dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:viscose with stretch
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU10071781366
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.
- 1970's ANDRE LAUG silk dress with gathered waistBy André LaugLocated in San Fransisco, CATextured taupe silk dress with flattering gathered center by Andre Laug dating to the early 1970's. Best fits a US 4 or 6 (interior waistband which can easily be removed measures app...Category
1970s Italian Day Dresses
- early 1980's ISSEY MIYAKE terra cotta draped cotton dressBy Issey MiyakeLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery unique, slightly padded cotton dress with draped neckline and back. No size indicated however this is best for a XS or S. Approximate measurements: shoulders 22" bust 36" (as bu...Category
1980s Japanese 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
- 1990's LEONARD of PARIS floral watercolor printed silk jersey babydoll dressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in San Fransisco, CAFloral-printed, silk-jersey babydoll dress in tones of grey and black designed by Leonard of Paris dating to the 1990's. No size is labeled however this would best fit a size S to M....Category
Late 20th Century French Babydoll Day Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia forest green seamed mini dress with full skirt, 1990sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAIncredibly flattering, forest-green, seamed, wool-dress with full skirt from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Size M. Approximate measurements (unstretched): drop shoulder 21", b...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1980's AZZEDLINE ALAIA black velour dress with studsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black velour dress with studs designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 1980's. Labeled a French size 42 however this was not clipped on the size 2 mannequin. Approxi...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage EMANUEL UNGARO Boutique 1980s DAISY Black Parallele PARIS Dress XS/SBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Asheville, NCUngaro Boutique, Vintage 1980's, Sheer Cotton, Fully Lined, Belted, Straps Tie at Top, Five Round Buttons at Front, 2 Large Front Pockets, Daisy Floral Details on Top, Front and Bott...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
$584 Sale Price20% Off - Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- c. 1967 Pierre Cardin Documented Dress MuseumBy Pierre CardinLocated in New York, NYc. 1967 Pierre Cardin Futuristic Dress Mini dress of navy wool jersey knit. The tubular mini dress has a rounded neckline and short sleeves. Red, sh...Category
1960s French Shift Dresses
- S/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black and Green Sculptural DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYS/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black Cotton Dress with Layered, Tiered Skirt Panels Backed with Acid Green Cotton; Fitted Bodice with Adjustable Straps; Self Belt w...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Ossie Clark Celia Birtwell Print Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia RobertsLocated in New York, NYOssie Clark Celia Birtwell Printed Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia Roberts in 1997 Conspiracy Theory; Empire dress with self ties at neckline a...Category
1970s British Empire Waist Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Wrap DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier ClassiqueLocated in London, GBJean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Tattoo Print Wrap Dress Lightweight Stretchy Silky Mesh Material 100% Authentic SIZE: M ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS: S...Category
1990s Tunics and Wrap Dresses