Alaia
View Similar Items
Alaia
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)Bust: 40 in (101.6 cm)Waist: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU140317451941
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.
- Jean Paul Gaultier Black Cropped Mini JacketBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier black cropped mini jacket featuring puff sleeves, front buttons, and back zipper. Jean Paul Gaultier Size: Smal...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Comme Des Garcons Classic Black Satin BlazerBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Comme des Garcons black satin blazer with a three-button front enclosure, side pockets, and hip length. Comme Des Garcons Size: Sm...Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- Balenciaga By Ghesquiere Black Notch Lapel Blazer 2005By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer of vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière black fitted blazer jacket featuring an extra-wide and round lapels and collar, an attached belt ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Balenciaga Black Corset Jacket 2004By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga black corset jacket featuring a hook and eye front interior panel, ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Balenciaga Black Motorcycle Zipper Vest 2011By BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière black moto vest featuring silver-tone hard...Category
2010s French Vests
- Prada Orange Mohair Cropped Jacket 2007By PradaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Prada orange mohair and cotton cruelty-free curly hair cropped jacket with 3/4 sleeves, closed neckline, and fitted waist. Prada,...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cropped Jackets
- Louis Vuitton Logo Limited Edition Travel Hoodie JacketBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLTailored from a comfortable technical cotton jersey, this iconic button up travel hoodie features a metallic silver reflective Louis Vuitton logo pe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sport Jackets
- Azzedine Alaïa Vintage S/S 1992 Runway Coral Corset Jacket DocumentedBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Berlin, BEIconic documented vintage Azzedine Alaïa Spring Summer 1992 runway corset jacket in the most beautiful rare coral colour! AS seen on the Spring Summer 1992 runway show and worn by model Beverly Peele for Vogue issue...Category
1990s French Blazers
$5,491 Sale Price20% Off - CELINE BY HEDI SLIMANE F/W2019 Rare Runway Snakeskin Print Leather JacketBy CelineLocated in Berlin, BEOutstanding rare leather blouson by Celine from their F/W 2019 collection. This brown snakeskin print jacket is a variation of the runway look 24 - the runway version with epaulettes...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE F/W 2013 Military Style JacketBy Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESaint Laurent by Hedi Slimane F/W 2013 Military Jacket Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2013 Fabric: Wool / Silk Color: Black Size: 46 Incredible military inspired jacket by Saint Laurent. Designed by Hedi Slimane for his Fall Winter 2013 collection. Utilitarian and smart. Made from wool and lined in silk. It features a double-breasted closure with nautical antiqued anchor...Category
2010s French Pea Coats
- RICK OWENS Avant Garde Distressed Leather Biker JacketBy Rick OwensLocated in Berlin, BEClassic avant-garde biker jacket from Rick Owens. A true Rick Owens staple. This avant-garde jacket is made from a soft distressed lamb leather and features a concealed front zip closure, classic Rick Owens long sleeves...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- SAINT LAURENT By HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter BlazerBy Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BESAINT LAURENT by HEDI SLIMANE Rare F/W 2015 Black Glitter Blazer Brand: Saint Laurent Designer: Hedi Slimane Collection / Year: F/W 2015 Fabric: Wool / Cupro / Silk Color: Black Siz...Category
2010s French Blazers