Alaia Blue Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress sz 44
View Similar Items
Alaia Blue Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress sz 44
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 44 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 100-84841stDibs: LU204968752
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.
- ALAIA Black Knit Fit Flare Dress w/ Metallic Detail sz 40By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Knit Fit Flare Dress Features scoop neckline and black metallic textured stripe design Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 45% viscose, 35% wool,15% polyester, 5% ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Informal Dresses
$900 Sale Price59% Off - ALAIA Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress sz 42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress Features micro-pleats throughout Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 90% viscose, 5% nylon, 5% polyester Lining: None Closure/o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Babydoll Day Dresses
$725 Sale Price63% Off - Alaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42 Features eyelet throughout Made In: Italy Color: Mauve / lavender Composition: 85% viscose, 10% polyester, 5% nylon Lining: None Closu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alaia Red Fit Flare Sleeveless Zig Zag Mesh Dress sz FR 44By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Red Fit Flare Sleeveless Zig Zag Mesh Dress sz FR 44 Made In: Italy Color: Red Materials: 50% viscose, 40% silk, 10% polyester Lining: Nude, 100% silk Opening/Closure: Back ce...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Casual Dresses
$1,200 Sale Price20% Off - Alaia Cream Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress Sz LBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Cream Sleeveless Fit & Flare Dress Sz L Made In: Italy Color: Cream Materials: 50% viscose, 40% silk, 10% polyester Opening/Closure: Hidden back zipp...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Alaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz LBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz L Made In: Italy Color: Grey Materials: 50% cotton, 25% viscose, 20% nylon, 5% polyester Opening/Closure: Hidden back zipper Overal...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier 1997 Fashion & Culture Japanese Tattoo Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier 1997 Fashion & Culture Japanese Tattoo Maxi Dress Jean Paul Gaultier JPG 1997 Fashion & Culture Jean's 90s Vintage Japanese Tattoo...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- 1970's Vintage Tri Color Floral DressBy I Magnin and CoLocated in Georgetown, MEVintage 70's Tri Color Floral Halter Dress! I am obsessed with this dress, it is perfect in every way. Designer: unknown has the Joseph Magnin Department Store Label Size: fi...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
- Ralph Lauren Collection Purple Label Pink Ascot Dress & Jacket S/S 2008 Sz 4By Ralph Lauren Purple LabelLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLRalph Lauren Purple Label - Flirty pink and black dress with matching jacket. This dress was featured on the Spring/Summer 2008 40th Anniversary ...Category
Early 2000s American Informal Dresses
- Christian Dior/John Galliano - Embroidered Cherry Blossom Dress F/W 2003 Sz 38FRBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLJohn Galliano for Christian Dior Embroidered Cherry Blossom Dress. This dress is formfitting with a geometric hem, mock turtleneck and flowing upp...Category
Early 2000s French Informal Dresses
- Gianfranco Ferre Tunic DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAPurple Tunic dress. Double layer on back. Mandarin collar. Front buttons. Side pockets. Shoulder pads. Wool. Lined. Made in France. *Condition: Great vi...Category
1980s Day Dresses
- OSCAR DE LA RENTA orchid purple silk DRAPED SHOULDER Gown Dress 4 XSBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Oscar De La Renta sleeveless dress in orchid silk (100%) with a folded collar. Closes on the back with a concealed zipper. Comes with a matching belt featuring decorat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses