Iconic Alaia Leopard Dress 1991-1992
View Similar Items
Iconic Alaia Leopard Dress 1991-1992
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)
- Style:1990s (Of the Period)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU452123353
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.
- Balenciaga By Nicolas Ghesquiere Copper Wire Crochet Dress 2007By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere copper knit cocktail dress featuring an as...Category
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli Snake Print Halter Dress With Ombre FringeBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Roberto Cavalli earth-tone evening gown featuring an open neckline, straps, snake print, racerback with corset detail, multicolor...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Satin Leopard Print Corset Bustier DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana brown-tone leopard print corset dress featuring a low neckline, adjustable stra...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Khaki Lace Up Corset Dress With Reflective TrimBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana khaki corset dress featuring, lace-up detailing and zippers down the front of the dress...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Stephen Burrows Chiffon Abstract Print GownBy Stephen BurrowsLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Stephen Burrows vibrant orange, yellow, and green abstract print bias cut chiffon evening gown with V-neckline, ruffles and lime satin ...Category
20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Valentino Heavily Beaded Floral Mini DressBy ValentinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Valentino caramel brown tank dress with a v-neckline, low cut back, and striped beading with intricate green, rust & caramel brown ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- 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
- Mariano Fortuny Claret Delphos. Provenance Tina ChowBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated claret colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording. The beads are amber glass with...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Sienna Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated sienna colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Rare Shell Pink Long Sleeved Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYDescription: This dress is made of finely pleated shell pink colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon RequestGertrude Arzt of Huntington (Texas) Silk/Satin Metallic Gold GownLocated in Sharon, CTA rare 1960's formal dress by important American designer Gertrude Arzt of Huntington Texas. Indian inspired overall pattern in gold thread on a satin/silk morphing color from yello...Category1960s American Evening Gowns
Paco Rabanne Made in Paris Cocktail DressBy Paco RabanneLocated in Sharon, CTScalloped layers of material, fully line. zipper on side. Fits American size 4-6Category1980s French Cocktail Dresses