Alaia Yellow Woven Dress circa 1980s
View Similar Items
Alaia Yellow Woven Dress circa 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:Some slight wear and discoloration.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 501stDibs: LU58332445813
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.
- Givenchy Studded Lace DressBy GivenchyLocated in Los Angeles, CAStudded Lace Dress by Givenchy Made in France Black Lace mesh sleeves and top detail Black trim detail Mini dress style Large silk bow detail around colla...Category
2010s French Day Dresses
- Gucci Blue Cotton-Linen Chambray and Lace Tunic DressBy GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAGucci Blue Cotton-Linen Chambray and Lace Tunic Dress Blue/White Chambray fabric Lace appliqué trim Long bell sleeves Tunic neckline with button fastening Shift silhouette Mini len...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Etro Cream and Black Floral Print Swing Coat Fall2012By EtroLocated in Los Angeles, CAEtro Cream and Black Floral Print Swing Coat Fall 2012 Collection Cream, Beige/Black Abstract floral print Collarless round neckline Long sleeves Front flap pockets Concealed front ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Versace 2004 Yellow Slinky Floral-Print Halter DressBy VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAVersace 2004 Yellow Slinky Floral-Print Halter Dress Spring 2004 Ready-To-Wear Yellow/Purple Floral print on French-inspired background print Sleeveless D...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Off White Silk Feather-Print Halter-Neck Maxi DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Los Angeles, CARoberto Cavalli Off White Silk Feather-Print Halter-Neck Maxi Dress Spring2014 Ivory/Red/Pink/Orange/Black Abstract feather print Halter neckline with front keyhole Racer back strap...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Fendi Pink Silk Quilted Peplum DressBy FendiLocated in Los Angeles, CAFendi Pink Silk Quilted Peplum Dress Light Pink/Blush Quilted detailing Sleeveless High round neck Padded shoulders Peplum bodice Pencil skirt Attached wide waist belt Back vent Adj...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Chanel Yellow Striped Dress circa SS19By ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZWow Spring is calling! This classic yellow Chanel striped sun dress is a real show stopper. Featuring yellow and white stripes, lace detailing, a Chanel logo button and a pleated hem, this dress is perfect for any occasion from Sunday brunch to a tropical vacation. The fabric is extremely light and breathable making it ideal for warmer climates and very comfortable. From Chanel's Spring/Summer 2019 collection, 'The Break'. Style this with a Versace denim jacket...Category
2010s French Casual Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Yellow Satin Sleeveless Belted Dress SBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This gorgeous dress from the House of Dolce & Gabbana adds a refreshing antidote to your summer wardrobe. It has been tailored lavishly using yellow satin fabric and features a sleev...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- CHANEL yellow silk 2012 12C ANTIBES PATCH POCKETS LUREX CREPE Dress 40 MBy ChanelLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Chanel sleeveless sheath dress in yellow lurex crepe silk (with 12% nylon). Features a fitted silhouette with two patch pockets on the front. Opens with a concealed zi...Category
2010s Casual Dresses
- 1970S PACO RABANNE Attributed Mustard Yellow Cashmere Blend Knit Sexy Cut-Out DLocated in New York, NYWe purchased this piece in Paris from a dealer who said it was a hand knit prototype from the Paco Rabbane atelier. This is just hearsay however and there...Category
1970s Casual Dresses
- Prada Light Yellow DressBy PradaLocated in Capri, ITPrada Light Yellow DressCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
$421 Sale Price30% Off - 1970S Floral Satin Back Rayon Halter Maxi DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Floral Satin Back Rayon Halter Maxi Dress With Hand Done Button Holes, Hidden Pockets & Matching BeltCategory
1970s Casual 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.