Fall 1989 AZZEDINE ALAÏA Runway Black Velvet Knit Shawl Collar Open Front Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Mint condition.
- Seller Location:Munich, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU785312317442
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: Munich, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Early 1990s Azzedine ALAÏA Black Pure Cashmere Mock Neck Sweater JumperBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Munich, DEAzzedine Alaïa is one of the world's most respected fashion designers and known for his signature body-con silhouettes and his talent for producing discreet luxury. This is a minimalist early 1990s Alaïa mock neck jumper or sweater with long sleeves. The timeless design is made in Italy from extra-fine pure cashmere yarns in a classic black colour. It weighs next to nothing and is very versatile to style. Labeled "ALAÏA PARIS" and tagged a vintage size L (runs smaller). Has not been on the market prior to this. Note that the Azzedine Alaïa Fall...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
- 1970s LEONARD Fashion Paris Black White Animal Leopard Print Wool Blend Knit TopBy Leonard FashionLocated in Munich, DESophisticated Léonard Fashion Paris black and cream leopard print wool blend knit top from the 1970s. The eye-catching vintage Léonard Fashion P...Category
1970s French Pullovers
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Brown Openwork Knit Pullover Sweater Top, 1980sBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Munich, DECharming Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche vintage sweater in cinnamon-coloured openwork viscose knit from the 1980s. Fitted style with short sleeves and unlined with no closure (pulls on over the head). This top has the added provenance of coming directly from a lady that worked for the YSL shop...Category
1980s French Pullovers
- 1970s LEONARD Fashion Paris Brown Animal Leopard Print Wool Blend Knit TopBy Leonard FashionLocated in Munich, DESophisticated Léonard Fashion Paris leopard print wool blend knit top in shades of brown from the 1970s. The eye-catching vintage Léonard Fashio...Category
1970s French Pullovers
- 1990s Moschino Cheap & Chic Black & Ivory Light Wool Bow Decorated BlazerBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in Munich, DEEarly Moschino pieces designed by Franco Moschino himself – often referred to as Italian fashion's "enfant terrible" – within the short period when he launched the House of Moschino ...Category
1990s Italian Double-Breasted Jackets
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Grey Faux Astrakhan Fur and Black Velvet Jacket, c. 1992By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Munich, DEUnusual and rare vintage Yves Saint Laurent charcoal grey faux fur Persian lamb or Astrakhan coat with black velvet collar, cuffs and edging probably from the Fall 1992 ready-to-wear...Category
1990s French Coats
- S/S 1999 John Galliano Stretch Knit Sheer Black Shawl Sweater JacketBy John GallianoLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a beautiful black ruched knit jacket designed by John Galliano for his Spring/Summer 1999 "Ballets Russes" collection. The luxurious knit is expertly ruched at the waist f...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Kenzo jungle blue leaves wool jacket / cardiganBy KenzoLocated in Capri, ITKenzo jungle wool jacket / cardigan Kenzo blue and green wool jacket embellished wit faux fur collar size LCategory
1990s Jackets
- Vintage Giorgio Grati cachemire cardigan jacketBy GIORGIO GRATILocated in Capri, ITVintage Giorgio Grati cachemire cardigan jacket totally made in italy in size M composition: Viscose, angoraCategory
1990s Italian Jackets
- Moschino black gold fringes sweaterBy MoschinoLocated in Capri, ITMoschino black cotton gold fringes sweater totally made in italy in size 44Category
1990s Italian Sweaters
- Alexander McQueen Cable Knit Knitted Structure Wool Pullover Sweater Coat DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in PARIS, FRAlexander McQueen knit tulip hip cardigan dress. Tulip structure silhouette, emphasized hips! VERY GOOD condition! SIZE Medium (Stretchy fabri...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- 1970s Vintage Hand-Crochet Black Wool Hippie Boho Vest Jacket/ Sweater CoatLocated in Sparks, NVHand-crochet vintage black wool crocheted vest from the 1970s. Unlined with front tie closure. 100% wool. The marked size is 36, but the vest will fit most sizes on account of its fr...Category
1970s American Vests