1980's AZZEDLINE ALAIA black velour dress with studs
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 42 in (106.68 cm)Marked Size: FR 42 (runs small) (EU)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content: 70% cotton and 30% nylon. Metal studs.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Small professionally invisibly rewoven area near bottom of skirt. Wear to velour consistent with age and use. Oxidation to metal studs.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8122075042
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1990's YVES SAINT LAURENT red cotton dress with black grosgrain trimBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CARed cotton mini dress with wide black grosgrain ribbon trim by Yves Saint dating to the 1990's. Labeled a French size 40. Dress measures approximately: 36” at bust, 32” at waist and...Category
1990s French Mini Dresses
- NEW 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA forest green wool knit dress with open backBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAForest green, knit dress with long striped skirt and open back from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Labeled a French size S however there is some flexibility with the sizing due...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1992 Azzedine Alaia documented black dress with sheer asymmetrical hemlineBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black viscose dress with sheer asymmetrical hemline from Azzedine Alaia dating to spring of 1992. Labeled a size 'M', although this will also fit a size S. Approximate measurements: 33-34" bust, 28" waist, 34-35" hips, length of inner portion of dress 32...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- 1990 AZZEDINE ALAIA black seamed mini dress with full skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAIncredibly flattering, jet-black, seamed dress with full skirt from Azzedine Alaia dating to approximately 1990. Size XS. Approximate measurements (unstretched): drop shoulder 17", b...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- AZZEDINE ALAIA black wool dress with seamed flared skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black wool dress with boat-neckline, set in waistband and seamed skirt from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Slips on over the head. Dress fits a size small. Approximate meas...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1990's ROMEO GIGLI brown velvet dress with asymmetrical hemlineBy Romeo GigliLocated in San Fransisco, CABrown velvet dress with v-neck and asymmetrical hemline from Romeo Gigli dating to the 1990's. Fits a size 6 or 8. Approximate measurements: shoulde...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
- F/W 1994 Chanel Black & White Faux Fur Mini Dress by Karl LagerfeldBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Concord, NCChanel by Karl Lagerfeld black and white faux fur mini dress from the Fall Winter 1994 collection and as seen on the runway on Naomi Campbell. Ultra rare faux fur dress from the F/W...Category
1990s European Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Red Satin Silk Embellished Draped Strapless Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBA beautiful red silk midi sleeveless dress from Dolce & Gabbana presenting a boned corset top for extra support and an embellished waistband. This dress has been made in Italy and is...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Saint Laurent Black Evening Gown With Crystal Details 38 FRBy Saint LaurentLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWThis exquisitely crafted Saint Laurent black evening gown features shimmering crystals and is sure to catch all eyes at your next special event. The delicate crystal details will lea...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Christian Dior Pink Dress Size 42 FRBy Christian DiorLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Christian Dior Product: Above Knee Dress Size: 42 Fr Colour: Pink Condition: Excellent: The product is in excellent condition, displaying minimal signs of wear. The pro...Category
2010s Day Dresses