Alaïa Fitted Ruffled Hem Dress
View Similar Items
Alaïa Fitted Ruffled Hem Dress
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 49.22 in (125 cm)Marked Size: 40 (EU)Bust: 31.5 in (80 cm)Waist: 25.99 in (66 cm)Hip: 33.86 in (86 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 11.82 in (30 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Material: Outer: Spandex/Elastane (3%), Polyamide (12%), Polyester (12%), Viscose (60%), Silk (13%) | Dry Clean Only
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: CSZHALC021stDibs: LU336756302
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.
- Hermes Iridescent Silk GownBy HermèsLocated in London, GBThe silk-satin of this Hermès gown is quite mesmerising – its vivid turquoise hue has an iridescent green lustre that moves with the light. This dress has ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Chanel Black Sequin DressBy ChanelLocated in London, GBThis vintage Chanel dress is the kind you'll be relying on time and again when you get a last minute invitation to a party. Lined in silk, it's cut with an effortless shift silhouett...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses
- Prada Floral Print Embellished DressBy PradaLocated in London, GBFinished with jewel embellishments for added sparkle, this pre-owned Prada midi dress features a black and red floral print, bateau neckline, cap slee...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses
- Hermes Brown Knitted Lounge TrousersBy HermèsLocated in London, GBCrafted in France from a blend of virgin wool and soft cashmere, these preloved, knitted lounge trousers by Hermes are presented in a bronze brown with a ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Culottes
- Chanel Long Grey Hooded Lounge TopBy ChanelLocated in London, GBEqual parts effortless and alluring, this cosy, preloved sweater by Chanel is crafted in Italy from a soft blend of light grey cashmere and silk. It fe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Sweaters
- Chanel Silver Sequin BlazerBy ChanelLocated in London, GBWith no shortage of embellishments, this pre-owned sequin blazer from Chanel's 2009 Miami Cruise collection is a true showstopper. Beautifully tailored ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection / Year: 2018 Fabric: Viscose / Silk Color: Red Size: ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
- Vintage 1930's Pleated & Ruched Amber Satin Dress UK 10 US 6Located in Cheltenham, GBA beauty to behold, this original 1930's satin dress rendered in the most sumptuous shade of amber satin, is the perfect statement piece for your special occasion wardrobe. The rou...Category
1930s Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's yellow sequin beaded cocktail dress wiggle dress UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking 1960's yellow knitted wool dress, embellished in its entirety with clear iridescent sequins, and finished with floral beaded details in yellow rocaille beads, and i...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Duchess Satin Sweet Pink Pleated Dress UK 8-10 US 4-6Located in Cheltenham, GBA true beauty to behold. This original 1950's duchess satin dress, rendered in a soft shade of sweet pink and accented by the most divine pleat wor...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
Chanel’s Boy Brick Lego Bag Transforms a Barcode into Art
In the hands of Karl Lagerfeld, even running errands became a chic exercise.