Vintage ALAIA Green Knit Top and Skirt Set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6/ medium (US)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4263992503
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 90s Geoffrey Beene silk shawl and skirt ensembleBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Beverly Hills, CABeautiful Silk Large silk shawl and skirt ensemble. Skirt: 26" waist/ Length: 35"/ Shawl Length: 74"x 30" wideCategory
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Geoffrey Beene Floral Print Wool Crepe Blouse and Skirt SetBy Geoffrey Beene, Geoffrey Been BoutiqueLocated in Beverly Hills, CA70s Geoffrey Beene wool crepe floral print blouse skirt set. skirt is made of silk. Blouse bust: 40" / sleeve length: 23" / Skirt waist: 26"/ Length: 32"Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Chanel Blue Boucle Suit and Skirt Set ( 3 pcs)By Karl Lagerfeld, ChanelLocated in Beverly Hills, CACHANEL blue boucle blazer , cowl neck silk blouse and A line skirt set. Blazer measurement: Shoulder : / Bust : 36” / Hip: 36”/ jacket length: 18”/ sleeve length 16” Blouse measureme...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s CHANEL Pale Pink Wool Blazer Skirt SuitBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 90s Chanel blush pink /pale pink light wool suits lined in silk. Blazer has clear acrylic button. Skirt is knee length. Marked size: 42fr / Medium - Large Measurement for Bl...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Vintage Saint Laurent red polkadot blouse and skirt ensembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEarly 80s Yves Saint Laurent red, white and black polkadot silk twill blouse with puffy sleeves. slip on blouse ( no zipper) knife pleats skirt with pock...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 70s Courreges mint green cotton crop top and midi skirt setBy André CourrègesLocated in Beverly Hills, CA70s Courreges mint green cotton crop top and midi skirt set. Fit size US4 Crop top: Bust: 34"/ Waist: 29"/ Top Length: 17.5 Skirt measurement:...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- D& G Dolce & Gabbana strech wool ensemble top & skirtBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Bilbao, ESDolce & Gabbana strech wool enseble top & skirt Incredibly elegant in an understated way. Size M READY TO SHIP *Shipment of this piece is not affected by COVID-19. Orders welcome!...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Twin Sets
- 70s Galanos Numbered Vintage 3pc Silk Chiffon Blue Floral Dress & Quilted JacketBy Galanos, James GalanosLocated in Portland, ORIf you love vintage James Galanos pieces, you will absolutely love this incredible vintage 1970's 3 pc Galanos outfit! This exquisite outfit includes outfit includes a beautiful blue...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- 1970s Valentino Vintage 2pc Linen Dress Skirt & Top Outfit Linen w White PipingBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Valentino two piece linen dress is in as new condition and was made in France in the 1970's. This came from one of our favorite estates of all time and the original owne...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Black White Snake Logo Print Viscose Skirt SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an incredible grey snakeskin Gucci skirt set, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, this snakeskin print was heavily...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Black White Snakeskin Logo Print Viscose Pant SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous grey snake print Gucci pant set, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, the season's runway was covered in the identical snakeskin print ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- S/S 2000 Gucci by Tom Ford Black White Snakeskin Logo Print Viscose Pant SetBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous grey snake print Gucci pant set, designed by Tom Ford. From the Spring/Summer 2000 collection, the season's runway was covered in the identical snakeskin print ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits