Azzedine Alaia S/S 1992 Vintage Bustier Open Back Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU162417032172
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: Naples, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Roberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Plunging Neckline Backless Maxi Evening Dress GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Plunging Neckline Backless Maxi Evening Dress Gown Size MCategory
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel S/S 2013 Runway Open Knit Double Breasted Ivory DressBy ChanelLocated in Naples, FLChanel S/S 2013 Runway Open Knit Double Breasted Ivory Dress FR 38 Look 23 from the Spring 2013 Collection. Creme Chanel silk open knit sleeveless knee-length dress with mock neck, ...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Runway Cutout High Slit Silk Slip Evening Dress GownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli S/S 2004 Runway Plunged Décolleté Cutout High Slit Silk Slip Evening Dress Gown Size M Look 27 from the Spring 2004 Collection.Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2005 Runway Medusa Halter Bustier Open Back Yellow DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2005 Runway Medusa Halter Bustier Open Back Dress IT 44 Look 22 from the Spring 2005 Collection.Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano S/S 2004 Sheer Mesh Fringed Evening Dress GownBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Naples, FLChristian Dior by John Galliano S/S 2004 Sheer Mesh Silk Fringed Evening Dress Gown FR 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci S/S 2005 Fringed Plunging Cutout Backless Mini DressBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci S/S 2005 Fringed Plunging Cutout Backless Mini Dress IT 40Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 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
- Extremely Rare Mariano Fortuny Cotton DelphosBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis extraordinarily rare dress is made of finely pleated white cotton. Few cotton pleated Fortuny dresses have been documented and survived.
Named after a Greek clas...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Junior Bird Tropical Feather Electrical Mandala Runway DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJEAN PAUL GAULTIER Junior VINTAGE Bird Tropical Feather Mandala Electrical Print Bodycon Bustier Rare Collector Pencil Dress Black and cream electrical print bodycon dress from Je...Category
1990s French Mini Dress
- Rare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set S/S 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITRare Dolce e Gabbana Floreal Set Dress + top S/S 1997 - NO RETURNSCategory
1990s Italian Summer Dresses
- Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, RECHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Late 60s vintage Maggy Rouff long trapeze dressBy Maggy RouffLocated in L'ESCALA, ESRare and beautiful vintage long dress from the late 60s early 70s by Maggy Rouff. Orange, white and green chevron patterns on a frog green backgroun...Category
1960s French Maxi Dress