Alaïa 1990s Raspberry Sexy Jersey Bias Gown
View Similar Items
Alaïa 1990s Raspberry Sexy Jersey Bias Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall excellent. Slight wear in jersey near zipper (shown in photographs).
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU49222678
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.
- Vintage Early 1940's Crimson Red Satin Evening Dress UK 10-12 US 6-8Located in Cheltenham, GBThis breathtaking early 1940's crimson satin dress, rendered in a full circle cut and tailored to perfection, is the perfect piece for that special occasion. The V shaped neckline...Category
1940s Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Satin Matelasse Dress, Capelet & Shoe Set UK 12 US 8Located in Cheltenham, GBA classic silhouette rendered in a tickle me pink matelasse satin, with matching ostrich feather accents, this original 1960's dress and capelet set, completed with matching silk sho...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Hanae Mori, Tokyo 1970 Silk Chiffon DressBy Hanae MoriLocated in Sharon, CTA beautiful 100% silk evening dress, with attached silk 'coat' by the important Japanese Fashion Designer. Abstracted floral/sea pattern in white black pinks and blue. Sash (56" lo...Category
1970s Japanese Evening Dresses
- Christian Dior John Galliano S/S 2003 Red Plunge Draped Pocket Mini DressBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by John Galliano for the Christian Dior spring/summer 2003 collection. Oversized design with carefully crafted sex appeal. Gathered/plunge front and plunge draped back. Over...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dress
- Herve Leger Candice Lip Stick Red Off The Shoulder Long Sleeve Bodycon Dress XSBy Herve Leger by Max Azria, Herve LégerLocated in Chicago, ILHerve Leger "Candice" Lip Stick Red Off The Shoulder Long Sleeve Bodycon Dress XS. Tags attached (MSRP: $1,150). Tight, sturdy and durable construction, built to showcase your curves...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Evening Dresses
- Dior red asymmetrical strapless dress, FW 2000By Christian DiorLocated in London, GB“Welcome to all our Super Fly Girls” (Vogue, 2000). We are offering a Dior 2000 ss denim dress in a bright pink monogram print. The denim dress has an interest...Category
Early 2000s European Evening Dresses