1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA red leather jacket with sweetheart seams
View Similar Items
1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA red leather jacket with sweetheart seams
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:leather
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. very good (light fading to red).
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120521811695
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.
- vintage VALENTINO fitted red wool jacket with tie detailBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAFitted red, wool jacket with tie accented sash half-belt designed by Valentino dating to the late 1990's, early 2000's. U.S. size 6. Approximate measurements: 15" shoulder, bust 33-3...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Jackets
- 1979 SAINT LAURENT red satin RUNWAY jacket with seashell embroideryBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, quilted, red-satin jacket with seashell embroidery and yellow trim designed by Yves Saint Laurent as seen on the spring 1979 runway. FR 38. Approximate measurements: shoul...Category
1970s French Coats and Outerwear
- 1960's JAMES GALANOS for Amelia Gray red & black wool jacketBy James GalanosLocated in San Fransisco, CAImpeccably tailored, red, black and white wool jacket from James Galanos for Amelia Gray dating to the 1960's. Best fits a size 4-6. Jacket measure approximately: 15" at shoulders, 3...Category
1960s American Jackets
- 2002 TOM FORD For YVES SAINT LAURENT tan embroidered runway jacketBy Yves Saint Laurent, Tom FordLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, tan canvas peplum jacket with embroidery designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent exactly as seen on the runway for Spring 2002. Labeled a French size 38 although this ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- 1999 HELMUT LANG khaki brown parka coat with padded collar & bondage strapsBy Helmut LangLocated in San Fransisco, CAKhaki brown/green cotton parka coat with padded collar and bondage straps designed by Helmut Lang as seen on the fall 1999 runway. Italian size 40. Approximate measurements: shoulder...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- 1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA oversized tan cardigan sweater coat with pocketsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAOversized, tan knit sweater jacket with open closure and large patch pockets designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to spring of 1985. Labeled a size 'S'. Fits many sizes due to the overs...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1990's Vintage MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic vestBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's Vintage MOSCHINO Cheap & Chic vest with Mickey Mouse head and stripped back. in perfect condition. 80% Wool 20% Nylon. Sizes : I 44 FR 40 US 10 U...Category
1990s Italian Vests
- Henri Bendel "Limited Editions" French Red Wool Jacket with BeltBy Henri BendelLocated in Sharon, CTA Henri Bendel 'Limited Edition' classic red wool jacket buttons and belt in front. No sizing label, approximately EU 40-42Category
1940s French Jackets
- Patrick Kelly 1980s Jacket with Gold ButtonsBy Patrick KellyLocated in New York, NYPatrick Kelly Red Jacket with Gold Buttons. This jacket in virbant red is adorned with an array of gleaming gold buttons along the front to create a bold yet sophisticated look. Sh...Category
1980s Jackets
- Atelier Versace transparent plastic and red wool mini dress and jacket, fw 1995By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBAtelier Versace; Red wool strapless bustier mini dress with transparent plastic trim and built in corset. Sold with a matching jacket with plastic yoke and silver zip fastenings. A...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood red wool jacket with black velvet collar, AW 1990By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood red wool jacket with black velvet collar, - large orb buttons - black velvet pocket flaps Autumn-Winter 1990Category
1990s British Jackets
- Escada Orange Silk Pleat Detail Tailored Button Front Blazer MBy EscadaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2A classic silhouette in a refreshing orange hue, this blazer from Escada will make a worthy closet investment. It is tailored from quality silk and is styled well with button front c...Category
2010s Italian Blazers