Azzedine Alaia Pattern Shearling Leather Jacket
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaia Pattern Shearling Leather Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hertfordshire, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2765216085572
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.
- Courrèges 1960’s Nylon Pink Peach Trench JacketBy Courrèges, André CourrègesLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Andres Courrèges 1963-1969 Pink peach vinyl jacket Large Courrèges logo Can be worn as a jacket or dress Belted (removable) Popper buttons Numbered couture label Size ...Category
1960s Jackets
- DSquared2 Spring 2005 Runway Crab Denim JacketBy Dsquared2Located in Hertfordshire, GBVintage DSquared2 Spring 2005 - seen on the runway White cotton denim jacket with metal crab appliqué detail Swarovski crystals on each crab appl...Category
Early 2000s Jackets
- Vivienne Westwood Spring 1994 Checked Two Piece Skirt Suit SetBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Vivienne Westwood Spring 1994 “Cafe Society” collection Blue & yellow checked skirt & jacket suit set Fitted blazer jacket High waisted mini skirt Zip up side of skir...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Versace Spring 2004 Teal Silk Chiffon DressBy VersaceLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Versace Spring 2004 - pink print version seen on the runway Teal blue silk chiffon ruched gown. Twist straps, lunge neckline, built in bodysuit, thigh slit on one side. Tie ...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace Fall 1997 Runway Black Leather Mini DressBy Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Versace Fall 1997 - seen on the runway Black leather mini dress Spaghetti straps Very soft leather Zip up back Size IT 38 / UK 6 / US 2, can fit up to approx 1 size larger ...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Chanel Fall 1995 Black Silk Satin Gown DressBy ChanelLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 1995 Black silk satin full length dress Slightly flared A line skirt Fully lined Zip up back 100% silk Size EU 42 / UK 14 / US 10 Clipped back...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Example by Missoni Cotton Jacket NWOTBy MissoniLocated in Capri, ITExample by Missoni Cotton Jacket totally made in italy Size 48Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Versace classic greek geometric blazerBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace classic greek geometric blazer totally made in italy in size 52Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- HERMES terra cotta brown cashmere LONG VEST Jacket 38 SBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CHHermès vest in terra cotta cashmere (100%) with fron flap pocket with white stiching. Closes on the front with buttons. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Tag Si...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- Vintage Diorling Christian Dior Ultra Suede JacketBy Christian DiorLocated in London, GBA great jacket for fall from Christian Dior , Diorling. The jacket has a front button opening with one flap pocket and one diagonal pocket on each side. It is in a pretty caramel co...Category
1960s British Jackets
- Pierre Carding beige black wool jacket / cardiganBy Pierre CardinLocated in Capri, ITPierre Carding beige black wool jacket / cardigan size MCategory
1990s French Jackets
$214 Sale Price20% Off - 1980S MISSONI Earth Tone Wool Blend Knit Dress With Matching VestBy MissoniLocated in New York, NY1980S MISSONI Earth Tone Wool Blend Knit Dress With Matching VestCategory
1980s Vests