Azzedine Alaia Spring 1991 2 Pieces Set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2940220797622
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Thierry Mugler Spring 2000 BlazerBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Brooklyn, NYLovely Thierry Mugler black blazer with satin stripes on front and back from Spring Summer 2000 collection as seen on the runway that seaso...Category
Early 2000s Jackets
- Thierry Mugler Fall 1989 JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Brooklyn, NYIncredible Thierry Mugler asymmetrical jacket from Fall Winter 1989 “Buick” collection as seen on the runway. This one of a kind jacket is made of wool in a two tone black and orange...Category
1980s Jackets
- Yves Saint Laurent Spring 1989 GownBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Brooklyn, NYExquisite and unparalleled, behold this mesmerizing Yves Saint Laurent gold lamé gown from the esteemed Spring Summer 1989 collection. Del...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Moschino Spring 2004 dressBy MoschinoLocated in Brooklyn, NYSuper cute Moschino black lingerie Spring 2004 dress with lace and hooks on bodice, and ruffles at the bottom as seen on the runway in a pink version. The d...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Early 90s DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Brooklyn, NYSuper cute Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress from the early 90s with crystal panels on each sides. The dress is made out of a beautiful velvet and stretchy panels. The shape is body c...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chrisitan Dior by John Galliano Spring 2000 dressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Brooklyn, NYChristian Dior by John Galliano distressed knit blue and silver dress from Spring Summer 2000 collection as seen on the runway. The dress has a lining that can be removed for a more ...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's Vintage Black Moschino Couture jacketBy Moschino, Moschino CoutureLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's Vintage Moschino Couture Black blazer jacket. in perfect condition. Sizes I 42 Fr 38 US 8 UK 10 Measurements : JACKET : Shoulders : 39 cm Waist : 35 cm Sleeves :...Category
1990s Italian Blazers
- 1990s Emanuel Ungaro houndstooth vintage jacketBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1980s houndstooth vintage jacket by Emanuel Ungaro, parallèle collection. The fabric is 90% Cotton. It has a velvet aspect on the borders. Small d...Category
1980s French Blazers
- F/W 1988 Thierry Mugler Black Les Infernales Structural Runway JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCThierry Mugler extremely rare collectible dramatic black belted jacket from the iconic Fall Winter “Les Infernales” 1988 collection and as seen on the r...Category
1980s French Jackets
- 1990's Thierry Mugler Black Cutout Panel JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NC1990’s Thierry Mugler Black jacket with triple rows of rectangular cutouts on the chest, upper arms, and center back. Square neckline. Shoulder pads. Snap front closure. Condition:...Category
1990s French Jackets
- F/W 1989 Thierry Mugler Black Futuristic Bullet Metal Runway JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCIncredible Thierry Mugler futuristic black jacket from the Fall/Winter 1989 Hiver Buick collection. Structured shoulders, peplum flared waist, single snap button closure,and long sle...Category
1980s European Jackets
- S/S 1989 Thierry Mugler Runway Sculptural Black Pointed Cutout JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCAn extravagant jacket by Thierry Mugler from the Spring Summer 1989 "Les Atlantes" collection. This documented black jacket features a unique cutout pointed edge design. The jacket f...Category
1980s French Jackets