Azzedine Alaia Vintage Open Back Dress
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaia Vintage Open Back Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU162417036462
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.
- Azzedine Alaia Fitted Open Back White DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia Fitted Open Back Dress White Alaïa sleeveless textured bodycon dress featuring scoop neckline, crossover straps at open back and concealed ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Emilio Pucci S/S 2011 Runway Unworn Embellished Cutout Crochet Open Knit DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in Naples, FLEmilio Pucci S/S 2011 Runway Unworn Embellished Cutout Crochet Open Knit Dress IT 42 Look 8 from the Spring 2011 Collection by Peter Dundas. Condition: New with TagsCategory
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier 1990's Vintage Gray Cone Bra Corset Long DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier vintage rare iconic sexy corset dress featuring Cone Bra, front zipper closure and corset lace up back. Excellent Condition. Circa 1990’s. Size IT 40. Fabric 100% ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2005 Embellished Trésor De La Mer Print Cutout Back Halter DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2005 Embellished Trésor De La Mer Print Cutout Back Halter Dress IT 42Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Corset Lace Up Plunging Neckline Silk Asymmetric DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli S/S 2003 Corset Lace Up Plunging Neckline Silk Asymmetric Dress Size SCategory
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace F/W 2005 Runway Campaign Ruched Cutout Back DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace F/W 2005 Runway Campaign Ruched Cutout Back Dress IT 38 Look 25 from the Fall 2005 Collection. Brown and multicolor Versace silk halter midi dress with abstract print throug...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and 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 1960's Lilac & Gold Lurex Keyhole Dress UK 12-14 US 8-10Located in Cheltenham, GBA classic silhouette rendered in a lilac cotton weave with a gold lurex thread geometric woven pattern, this eye-catching 1960's dress is just the piece for your cocktail wardrobe. The stylised rounded mandarin collar is framed by a simple shoulder line and a sleeveless cut. The detailed bodice is accented by three teardrop shaped keyhole features along the front of the neckline. The fitted bodice is accented tailored darts along the bust-line and a fitted waistline. The timeless A line cut of the skirt, completes this dress in an iconic 1960's silhouette. Label: None Measurements of the Dress: Armpit to Armpit: up to 36 inches Shoulder to Hem: 52 inches Waist: up to 32 inches Hips: up to 41 inches Fastenings: This dress fastens with a 21 inch plastic zip and two hook and eyes along the nape Size: UK 12-14 US 8-10 Condition: This dress is in perfect vintage condition, with very gentle wear to the fabric along the back of the collar. Washing instructions: This garment should be dry cleaned Fabric: lurex woven thread, cotton Vintage garments have been previously worn and lovingly cared for, they may however have a blemish or two. Here at Willow Hilson...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Pink Swirling Satin & Tulle Dress UK 6 US 2Located in Cheltenham, GBThis iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- 2003FW Gianni Versace runway gownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHIntroducing a breathtaking masterpiece: the mesmerizing purple Gianni Versace gown, expertly crafted by the visionary designer Donatella Versace. This remarkable creation hails from ...Category
Early 2000s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
$5,678 Sale Price20% Off - DOLCE & GABBANA - Vintage Rose Pink Silk Satin Sleveless Dress | Size 2US 34EUBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Cuggiono, MIIt is a pre-owned Dolce & Gabbana midi dress in pastel rose-pink, featuring a pleated half-circle skirt, a scoop neckline, two side pockets and a zip on the back side with hook-and-e...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Givenchy Couture John Galliano S/S 1997 Bouquet Floral Ribbon Print Midi DressBy John Galliano, GivenchyLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by John Galliano for the Givenchy Couture spring/summer 1997 collection; his last collection for the label. Galliano only designed for the fashion house for 2 years which ma...Category
1990s French Empire Waist Dresses