Azzedine Alaia Patterned Wool Jacket
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaia Patterned Wool Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)Waist: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Hope, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU47942872
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 pink mink fur cropped bolero jacket, fw 1997By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior pink mink fur cropped bolero jacket ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Shawl lapel ▪ Wide cropped sleeves appearing as a cape from the back...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Emilio Pucci Orange Synthetic Hooded Down Jacket MBy Emilio PucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2How fabulous does this designer jacket look! It is made of fine materials and features long sleeves. Pair it with pants and sneakers for a cool look.Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- GABRIELA HEARST orange wool ANGELA Blazer Jacket 48 XXLLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Gabriela Hearst 'Angela' double breasted blazer in orange wool (49%), silk (30%) and linen (21%). Features peak lapels, two flap pockets and buttoned cuffs. Opens with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
- SID NEIGUM gold velvet black frayed seams wrap kimono robe jacket US2 SLocated in Hong Kong, NTSID NEIGUM gold velvet black frayed seams wrap kimono robe jacket US2 S Reference: JACG/A00017 Brand: Sid Neigum Material: Velvet Color: Gold Pattern: ...Category
2010s Cropped Jackets
- new FENDI Forever Fendi woven FF Zucca logo print nylon windbreaker shirt IT40 SBy FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew FENDI Forever Fendi woven FF Zucca logo print nylon windbreaker shirt IT40 S Reference: TGAS/C00740 Brand: Fendi Collection: Forever Fendi Material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Anoraks and Parkas
- Moschino orange glitter jacketBy MoschinoLocated in Capri, ITMoschino orange glitter jacket totally made in italy in size M total lenght 42 cm shoulder to hem 44 cmCategory
1990s Italian Jackets