Alaia Autumn-Winter 1991 plum corset vest
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14023226493
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- John Galliano London black cotton jersey bodysuitBy John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano London black cotton jersey bodysuit ca. 1988-1990Category
1980s British Bodysuits
- Dolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouseBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouseCategory
1990s Italian Corsets
- Alaia 1994 black leather bra with fringingBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAlaia 1994 black leather bra with fringing, lace fastening, zip closure and built in padded bra Refence: Stephanie Seymour (wearing the same bra) and Azzed...Category
1990s French Bras
- Alexander McQueen blue denim strapless corset top, fw 1996By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen strapless corset top ▪ Washed blue denim ▪ Metal donut buttons ▪ Built-in boning ▪ Metal zipper at side opening ▪ Belt loops and fau...Category
1990s Italian Corsets
- Balmain jacquard lame evening blazer, c. 2010By Balmain, Christopher DecarninLocated in London, GBA rare and highly sought after Balmain evening blazer from the Fall 2010 runway collection, designed by Christophe Decarnin. The blazer is in a high quality jacquard fabric with gold...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Lingerie
- 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
- LA PERLA black nude black gradient sequins side padded swimsuit top IT40 XSBy La PerlaLocated in Hong Kong, NTLA PERLA black nude black gradient sequins side padded swimsuit top IT40 XS Reference: LNKO/A01190 Brand: La Perla Model: Swimsuit Material: Polyamide, Nylon Color: Black Pattern: So...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bodysuits
- RICK OWENS DRKSHDW black cotton thick jersey hooded belted robe jacket SBy Rick OwensLocated in Hong Kong, NTRICK OWENS DRKSHDW black cotton thick jersey hooded belted robe jacket S Reference: TGAS/D00012 Brand: Rick Owens Designer: Rick Owens Collection: DRKSHDW Material: Cotton Color: Bla...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Robes
- Vintage 1940s Black Velvet Evening Dress or Hostess GownLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage early 1940s black velvet gown by Kamore was originally designed to be a hostess gown or luxurious loungewear for the 40's woman who entertai...Category
Mid-20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 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
- Dolce & Gabbana Logo Embellished Belted Brown Bikini Swimwear Swimsuit 2 PieceBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Naples, FLDolce & Gabbana Logo Embellished Belted Brown Bikini Swimwear Swimsuit 2 Piece Please note size tag has been removed but it will fit size Small.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Bodysuits
- 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
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.