rare AZZEDINE ALAIA woven abstract floral mini dress-1990
View Similar Items
rare AZZEDINE ALAIA woven abstract floral mini dress-1990
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 33 in (83.82 cm)Marked Size: FR M (runs small) (EU)Bust: 32 in (81.28 cm)Waist: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Hip: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:93% wool, 5% nylon and 2% spandex
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU811970243
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.
- YVES SAINT LAURENT by Stefano Pilati black draped caftan dressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black caftan dress with draped sides at designed by Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent dating to spring of 2009' Labeled a French size XXS although this dress is ver...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Gowns
- new 2017 SAINT LAURENT by Anthony Vaccarello black velvet RUNWAY dress with roseBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black velvet dress with long attached scarf and rose brooch detail designed by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent exactly as seen on the 2017 fall runway. Dress can b...Category
2010s French Evening Gowns
- Jacqueline De Ribes black velvet and tulle dress, 1980sBy Jacqueline de RibesLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery unique, jet-black velvet dress with tulle sleeves from Jacqueline de Ribes dating to the 1980's. Very flattering fitted bodice with full skirt. Fits a US size 4-6. Approximate m...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 2006 MARC JACOBS silk leopard print RUNWAY dress with beadingBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Fransisco, CARich brown and black leopard printed silk velvet dress with beaded waistband from Marc Jacobs as seen on the runway for Fall of 2006. Dress is labeled a size 2, however, it can easil...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA black crocheted dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAClassic, jet-black, knit wool dress with crocheted detail from Alaia dating to the 1990's. Size 'S'. Approximate measurements: bust 32", waist 22", hips 32' and length is 33" - howev...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970's SCOTT BARRIE black jersey dressBy Scott BarrieLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, jersey dress designed by Scott Barrie dating to the 1970's. Dress fits a size 4. Dress measures approximately 32" at bust, 13" at smallest point of shoulders and 15.5" alo...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- 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 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
- Geoffrey Beene White Bishop Sleeve Rhinestone GownBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress has so many unique details that make it such a must-have. Wear this as a wedding gown or to a red carpet event, no matter the occasion this dress will have you feeling ang...Category
Mid-20th Century Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Sass & Bide Silk Crepe 3 Way Maxi Harness Bustier Dress AU 8 US 2Located in PUTNEY, NSWDress Crepe Embellished Contrasting trims SilkCategory
Early 2000s Australian Cocktail Dresses
$214 Sale Price24% Off - EMPORIO ARMANI black and white sequin dress SS2007By EMPORIO ARMANI EA7Located in Paris, FRTag EMPORIO ARMANI Size M ( IT42 ) Length 95cm Chest 39cm Waist 36cm 100% silk Lining 100% polyester Perfect condition Some sequins are missing on the back, but you can sew...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versus by Gianni Versace 90's white slip dress with silver rhinestones shoulderBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITVersus by Gianni Versace mid 90's white rayon and acetate midi slip dress with silver rhinestones shoulder straps and back slit (S) Fully lined Back zip closure 55% rayon, 45% acet...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses