Alaia Princess Bodysuit
View Similar Items
Alaia Princess Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Excellent Vintage Condition.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU452516793
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 & Gray Dancers Kimono Robe 2002By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier black and grey Yukata robe with watercolor dancers print. This collection was p...Category
Early 2000s Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Vintage Gianfranco Ferre Black Velvet BodysuitBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is excited to offer a vintage Gianfranco Ferre black velvet bodysuit featuring a scoop neck, short sleeves, snap crotch, sheer bottom, an...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- Lolita Lempicka Floral Embroidered Bustier 2000By Lolita LempickaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Lolita Lempicka black bustier corset top with floral embroidery, beading and black satin ribbon laces in the back, and silk lining....Category
Early 2000s French Corsets
- Dolce & Gabbana Lace Corset Top With Blue Laces 2002By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana D&G champagne lace and satin bustier corset lingerie top featuring demi bust cups, blue satin laces and bows, ruffl...Category
Early 2000s Italian Corsets
- Vintage Helmut Lang Ivory Bondage Front Top 2001By Helmut LangLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Helmut Lang off-white silk knit tank top with halter neck and bondage multi-strap details at front. Collection Spring 2001. Excellent Vint...Category
Early 2000s Shirts
- Gianfranco Ferre Brown Leather Aviator Jacket With Brass HardwareBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is excited to offer a vintage Gianfranco Ferre brown leather aviator jacket featuring two front flap pockets, a two-way center-fron...Category
1990s Italian Jackets
- Christian Dior Vintage Silk Lace Slip DressBy Christian DiorLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis is an incredible feminine slip dress to add to your wardrobe today! Creating a staple wardrobe will make it so you never have nothing to wear. A simple silk black dress will give you hundreds of styling opportunities and will go with most of your closet. This is a beautiful number by none other than Christian Dior. This dress is from the 1980's making it a vintage gem you cannot pass up on. It is a midi length, with tank-top straps, and v-neck style. It has beautiful lace detailing through the neckline and the bottom hem. Don't miss out on the highly coveted details of this dress like the 'dior' embroidering on the skirt. Some imperfections in the silk. Pair this beautiful dress with a vintage Gucci jacket, some Prada slingback...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Dolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouseBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouseCategory
1990s Italian Corsets
- Gianfranco Ferre 1990s Embellished BodysuitBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdd this bodysuit to your collection! Circa 1990s, this black bodysuit features an overlapping G and F logo in black beads and rhinestones, thick spaghetti straps and mesh bottoms wi...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- John Galliano London black cotton jersey bodysuitBy John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London black cotton jersey bodysuit ca. 1988-1990Category
1980s British Bodysuits
- Jean Paul Gaultier grey pinstripe wool three piece corseted pant suit, c. 2000sBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GBJean Paul Gaultier grey pinstripe wool three piece suit comprising: blazer jacket with two-way front zipper, corseted waist with lace-up back fastening, wide leg pants, corset with m...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Paco Rabanne metal corset top with natural nut beads, ss 2003By Paco RabanneLocated in London, GB▪ Paco Rabanne beaded metal corset top ▪ A variety of natural nut beads ▪ Stainless steel tube beads ▪ Chain halter and back fastening ▪ Sizing: Adjustable Small - Medium ▪ Sprin...Category
Early 2000s French Corsets