Azzedine Alaia "Mon Coeur est A Papa" Red Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Bressanone, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3357222000292
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: Bressanone, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Dolce e Gabbana Black Corset DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Bressanone, ITDolce e Gabbana black corset dress in wool. Size 40 IT. Condition: Really good/good. To note: small spots, please check the pictures.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mini Dress
- Gucci Bandage / Lace up Mini DressBy GucciLocated in Bressanone, ITGucci vintage bandage/lace up mini dress, color grey. Size S Condition: Really good/good. Packing/accessories: Hanger.Category
Early 2000s Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier "The Naked" DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Bressanone, ITJean Paul Gaultier "The Naked" stretch long sleeve maxi dress, color beige. Size S (elasticized). Condition: New with tags.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Maxi Dress
- Dolce e Gabbana Satin chain black dressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Bressanone, ITDolce e Gabbana dress in satin color black, gold colored chain detail. Size 44 (stretch fabric). Condition: Good. To note: some pulled threads.Category
Early 17th Century Mini Dress
- CHRISTIAN DIOR Tailleur (Top and skirt)By Christian DiorLocated in Bressanone, ITRare vintage Christian Dior Boutique elasticated tailleur (top and skirt), glitter effect, color purple, size 36 FR.Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
- Mugler Velvet DressBy Mugler, Thierry MuglerLocated in Bressanone, ITMugler dress in velvet color turquoise, size S. Condition: Really good. Packing/accessories: Hanger.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, 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 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 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