Alaia Polka Dot Body-Con Dress in Black
About the Item
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Marked Size: Large (US)Bust: 32 in (81.28 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Oakland, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1412635392
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana D&G Black and Gray Ruched Corset DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Oakland, CASexy as ever Dolce & Gabanna bodycon ruched corset dress with boning. Black with dark heather grey front panels. Adjustable lingerie straps. Full length back zipper. Hits a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace Strapless Bodycon Cocktail DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Oakland, CAFabulous vintage Gianni Versace black strapless dress. Fold over collar in off white. Heavier stretch jersey. Folded tiers through the bodice make up the form fitting shape. Side...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianfranco Ferre Black Jersey Cocktail DressBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Oakland, CAClassic Gianfranco Ferre long black dress. Empire waist with open back and criss cross straps. Inverted pleat with full skirt. Back zipper. No fabric content tag, jersey material...Category
1990s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberta Di Camerino Trompe L'Oiel DressBy Roberta Di CamerinoLocated in Oakland, CAStunning vintage Roberta Di Camerino maxi dress. Iconic Di Camerino Trompe L'oiel design. Faux wrap neckline. Vibrant red and pinkish salmo...Category
1970s Italian Maxi Dress
- Yves Saint Laurent 2003 Tom Ford Dusty Pink Silk Evening GownBy Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Oakland, CAYSL dusty pink silk floor-length dress, very much in the style of 1930s glamour. Back zipper. 100% silk, made in France. Size F38, which generally equates to a US size small. Thi...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1990s Moschino Black and White Crop Velcro Closure Blazer JacketBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Oakland, CAThis is a vintage Moschino "Cheap and Chic" black crop blazer jacket with adjustable velcro closures at the shoulders and waist, 5-button front. The jacket is composed of rayon (52%...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Golden Eagle Hawk Kendall Jenner Skirt Top SetBy Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Soleil Vintage Japanese Golden Eagle Koi Fish Kendall Jenner Wave Yellow Mesh Sheer Transparent Wrap T-shirt Skirt Top Dress Golden Japanese Eagle...Category
1990s Maxi Dresses
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
- Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black 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 Delphos Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini DressBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThe most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...Category
2010s French Mini Dress