Azzedine Alaia Fall 1989 Vintage Black Lamb Suede Cropped Runway Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: See Description (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. a small rub spot to suede - see photo.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:
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: Beaverton, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Catherine Bacon Vintage Evening Coat in Black Velvet White Mohair Wool & SequinsLocated in Portland, ORThis is a rare vintage early 1990s Catherine Bacon Vintage Evening coat in black velvet with beautiful contrasting topstitching on white mohair/wool an...Category
1990s American Coats and Outerwear
- Art Deco Marshall Field & Company Black Vintage Black & Gray Embroidered JacketLocated in Portland, ORThis is a fabulous art deco vintage jacket with the Marshall Field & Company Exclusive Modes label from the late 1920's or early 1930's. The jacket is in a felted black wool with gr...Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Coats and Outerwear
- Escada Blazer in Red Black and Pink Novelty Shoe Lover Print 1980s JacketBy Escada Margaretha Ley, EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis 1980's vintage Escada jacket is in red satin with pink satin trim and has long black velvet sleeves. The blazer has fabulous gold buttons with pink "dots" and front pockets tha...Category
1980s German Jackets
- Gianni Versace FW 1994 95 Runway Vintage Embossed Gold Cropped Moto JacketBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Portland, ORThis is an absolutely Incredible motorcycle style cropped gold leather jacket with a belt from Gianni Versace Fall Winter 1994 / 95. This style of moto jacket was featured on the run...Category
1990s Italian Cropped Jackets
- Escada Margaretha Ley Green Cashmere Blazer Jacket in Size 8By Escada Margaretha Ley, EscadaLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Escada blazer was designed by Margaretha Ley and is made of 100% cashmere and lined in Escada logo printed green rayon satin. The ja...Category
Late 20th Century German Jackets
- Valentino Dead stock Black Satin Evening Jacket & Skirt Suit w stacked sequinsBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is an incredible beaded deadstock Valentino Winter 2008 two piece suit that includes a cap sleeve peplum jacket and a skirt. Each piece is unique and detailed enough to be worn ...Category
Early 2000s European Skirt Suits
- 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
- 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 Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, 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