Azzedine Alaïa red ribbed knit fishtail dress. Sculpted figure. Circa 1990
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Bilbao, ES
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1812210031842
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: Bilbao, Spain
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Brunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day EnsembleBy Brunello CucinelliLocated in Bilbao, ESBrunello Cucinelli Sport Grey Cotton Strech Day Pool Ensemble Strech oversize cardigan and over shirt material: 75% Cotton & 25% Liurex Size Large Made in Italy *Orders welcome all goods are insured and we package all purchases to a high standard PRADERA Fashion Division...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Pinko Stripe short jumpsuit dressLocated in Bilbao, ESPinko Stripe short jumpsuit dress 100% Viscose size Small In 2011, during the launch of its new PINKO Uniqueness range, PINKO became one of the pioneers of the “See Now Buy Now” tre...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jumpsuits
- Stella McCartney silk tropical plant cocktail dress in Orange and marron coloursBy Stella McCartneyLocated in Bilbao, ESStella McCartney silk tropical plant cocktail dress in Orange and marron colours Perfect Condition Double Linen Size 40 Europe 8 US READY TO SHIP *Shipment of this piece is not affe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Chemise Dresses
- Rena Lange Black silk Corset with lace-up front off the shoulder necklineBy Rena LangeLocated in Bilbao, ESRena Lange Corset Corset features off-the-shoulder neckline, boned bodice, short sleeves, lace-up front and zip closure at back Bust: 30" Waist: 25.5" Length: 18" 100% Silk Size 40 ...Category
1990s German Corsets
- ETRO dress made in Milano Italy EtroBy EtroLocated in Bilbao, ESETRO dress made in Milano Italy Etro ETRO dress tied at the neck with bare back Paisley print Color Green and Violet Dress length 102cm Size 42 Since ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Casual Dresses
- 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
- McQ Alexander McQueen Orange Stretch Knit Dress W Cut Out Zipper DetailsBy McQ Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueenLocated in Portland, ORThis orange Alexander McQueen dress is so special and we really love the diagonal bust zipper that is fully functional! You can wear it with the zipper open for a cut out effect. Thi...Category
2010s Turkish Day Dresses
- 1980s Vintage Red Vakko Suede Peplum Strapless DressBy VAKKOLocated in Portland, ORThis is such a fun vintage red dress! This Vakko suede peplum evening dress has a sweetheart bust and a pointed peplum at the waist. .The dress is fu...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses
- LeSwim Red and Black Lips Print Halter Midi Dress Size SmallLocated in Paradise Island, BSFounded by Adriana Caras, LeSwim is a modern vision of luxury resort style, offering elevated swimwear and resort wear that travels beyond the beach. The clothing is made in the US, ...Category
2010s American Day Dresses
- LeSwim Red and Black Lips Print Halter Midi Dress Size XSLocated in Paradise Island, BSFounded by Adriana Caras, LeSwim is a modern vision of luxury resort style, offering elevated swimwear and resort wear that travels beyond the beach. The clothing is made in the U, o...Category
2010s American Day Dresses
- Vintage Designer Moroccan Caftan, Metallic Brocade Kaftan with Pink and GoldLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant vintage brocade designer Moroccan kaftan, embroidered with pink and gold. This chic Bohemian maxi dress brocade kaftan is embroidered and embell...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans
- Moroccan Orange Kaftan Maxi Dress CaftanLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan orange color embroidered with gold trim, circa 1970s. This long maxi dress kaftan trim is embroidered and embellished with pearls entirely by hand. One of a k...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans