1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA blue crocheted knit dress with flounced sleeves
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 33 in (83.82 cm)Marked Size: FR S (EU)Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 23 in (58.42 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU813436703
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.
- Azzedine Alaia black skater dress with v-neckline and long sleeves, 1990sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black skater dress with V-neckline and long sleeves designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to the early 1990's. Size XS. Approximate measurements (unstretched): shoulder 14", bust 30"...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail 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
- 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
- 1970's SONIA RYKIEL floral silk dress with drawstring hemlineBy Sonia RykielLocated in San Fransisco, CASemi-sheer, silk, floral printed dress with asymmetrically placed button collar and drawstring hemline deigned by Sonia Rykiel dating to the late 1970's. Fits a US 2 (34" hips max). ...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- OSSIE CLARK Quorum black moss crepe dress with embroidered moons & starsLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, tiered, black, moss-crepe maxi dress with large bishop sleeves and embroidered stars and moons from Ossie Clark for Quorum. Labeled a UK size 8. Approximate measurements: ...Category
1970s English Maxi Dress
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT red floral silk halter neck dress with flounceBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery unusual, red floral printed silk dress with halter neck, flounce at bust and matching long sash from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the late 1970's. Halter neck can be tied at bac...Category
1970s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Comme des Garcons Coveted 2011 Hybrid Vintage Scarf DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CARei Kawakubo's "Hybrid Fashion" collection of F/W 2011 features asymmetric ruched, twisted and draped dresses on a background, showcasing a colorful display of multiple vintage silk scarves. Rei has incorporated her longtime personal collection of scarves into this unique, vintage scarf dress...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Nina Ricci White Cotton Blend Lace Dress FR36By Nina RicciLocated in Brossard, QCLined with silk for a luxurious feel, nina ricci's cotton-blend lace dress is a fantasy of a frock. The snow-white colour, flocks of texture at the hem and a-line silhouette make it...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Moroccan Floral White Kaftan Maxi Dress Caftan Size LargeLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan white floral embroidered with gold trim, circa 1970s. This long maxi dress kaftan trim is embroidered and embellished entirely by hand. One of a kind evening ...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans