Alaia denim motorcycle jacket, c. 1980s
View Similar Items
Alaia denim motorcycle jacket, c. 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14021091572
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.
- Christian Dior by John Galliano shearling jacket and wrap skirt set , fw 2000By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior burgundy shearling 2-piece set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Fitted jacket ▪ Maxi wrap skirt ▪ Inverted seams ▪ Detachable sleeves ▪ Buckle ties at the waist ...Category
Early 2000s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black quilted nylon jumpsuit, fw 2011By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in London, GB▪ Chanel jumpsuit ▪ Designed by Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Black quilted nylon ▪ Attached cropped jacket ▪ Zip fastenings ▪ FR 36 - UK 8 - US 4 ▪ Fall-Winter 2011 ▪ 98% Polyamide, 2% Poly...Category
2010s Italian Jumpsuits
- Alexander McQueen black wool blazer jacket with cut outs, ss 1999By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen; black wool blazer jacket. Exaggerated lapels cross over and fasten on the shoulder line and cut out on the midriff. Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Alexander Mcqueen deconstructed bias cut 'Joan' jacket, fw 1998 oBy Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen deconstructed bias cut jacket. - Open seams on the bias exposing a blood red lining on sleeves and bodice - Asymmetric high neck fastening with multiple button cl...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Dolce & Gabbana black nylon cropped parachute bondage jacket, fw 2003By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana black nylon cropped parachute bomber jacket with multiple velcro bondage style fastenings. Fall-Winter 2003Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Men's Gucci bronze jacquard evening blazer jacket, ss 2005By GucciLocated in London, GB▪ Men's Gucci bronze jacquard evening blazer jacket ▪ Marbled effect ▪ Black silk lapels and cuffs ▪ Single-breasted ▪ Silk lining ▪ Size 46 ▪ Spring-Summer 2005Category
Early 2000s Italian Blazers
- GIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970sBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in New York, NYGIORGIO SANT'ANGELO METALLIC KIMONO FAN BLOUSE 1970s Crimped black and gold kimono-cut top, non-conforming black net sash decorated with metallic gold thre...Category
1970s Italian Jackets
- BALENCIAGA Black Shiny Cropped Puffer JacketBy BalenciagaLocated in Krakow, PLBalenciaga's coat for Pre-Fall makes a worthy investment piece especially since puffers never really go out of style. This iteration is designed from glossy vinyl with a cropped he...Category
2010s Coats and Outerwear
- Salvatore Ferragamo Chocolate Brown Button Up JacketBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Philadelphia, PASalvatore Ferragamo, Chicisimo, simple elegance, Chocolate Brown jacket. Made in Italy. Multi use. No collar, with small lapels and signature Ferragamo buttons...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Blazers
- Gianfranco Ferre Black Jeans Fitted JacketBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Brindisi, BtGianfranco Ferre Jeans vintage 2000s women's jacket. Fitted jacket, black color. Closure with tone-on-tone buttons. 92% polyamide, 8% elastane fabric, jean...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
$133 Sale Price20% Off - Gianfranco Ferre Blue Wool Evening Oversize Classic JacketBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Brindisi, BtGianfranco Ferre Studio 90s vintage elegant men's jacket. Classic oversize model, dark blue color. 100% virgin wool. Made in Italy. Excellent v...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
$142 Sale Price20% Off - 1990s Emanuel Ungaro Paris Black Classic Elegant Jacket Four Buttons NewBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Brindisi, BtEmanuel Ungaro men's vintage jacket, black, 100% virgin wool. Classic ceremony model, gold-colored buttons, lined inside. 90s. Made in Italy. New with tag. ...Category
1990s French Jackets
$222 Sale Price52% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.