1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA camouflage wrap bustier top
View Similar Items
1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA camouflage wrap bustier top
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:32% polyester 30% cotton 25% wool 12% viscose; lining 100% cupro
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Condition is excellent. Wear is consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU812657573
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.
- 1980's KENZO TAKADA black lace button up blouseBy Kenzo Takada, Kenzo ParisLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack lace button up blouse with puff sleeves designed by Kenzo Takada dating to the 1980's. French size 38. Approximate measurements: shoulder 14.5", arm...Category
1980s French Blouses
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT floral printed cotton peasant topBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVivid, floral-printed, cotton peasant shirt with black piping and elasticized cuffs designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1970's. French size 34. Fits a size 2 or 4. Approxim...Category
1970s French Blouses and Tops
- 1980's ISSEY MIYAKE blue and white striped cotton shirt with draped necklineBy Issey MiyakeLocated in San Fransisco, CABlue and white striped cotton shirt with draped neckline and asymmetrical button closure designed by Issey Miyake dating to the early 1980's. Labeled a size 'S', however this shirt f...Category
1980s Japanese Shirts
- 2002 TOM FORD For YVES SAINT LAURENT tan embroidered runway jacketBy Tom Ford, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, tan canvas peplum jacket with embroidery designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent exactly as seen on the runway for Spring 2002. Labeled a French size 38 although this ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- 1980's SAINT LAURENT rive gauche burgundy silk top with pussy bowBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Fransisco, CABurgundy silk top with long sleeves, asymmetrical hidden button closure and pussy bow designed by Saint Laurent dating to the 1980's. French size 38. Approximate measurements: should...Category
1980s French Blouses and Tops
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT red sequined topBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVivid, red sequined tank top with bugle bead trim designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to the late 1970's. Labeled a French size L however this best fits a modern S or M. Approximat...Category
Late 20th Century Indian Chemises
- Moschino Men's Bold "Soda Cans" Short-Sleeve Button ShirtBy MoschinoLocated in New York, NYMoschino men's bold "Soda Cans" short-sleeve button shirt has five buttons in front as well as two patch pocket. Signature red, green and white "Mos...Category
1990s American Shirts
- Gianni Versace 1990s Coat of Arms Silk ShirtBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Scottsdale, AZCirca 1990s, this colorful Silk button down shirt features a color block design with an intricate design detailing various Coat of Arms crests from different regions on-top. Collar, ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Moschino silk sequins mouth shirtBy MoschinoLocated in Capri, ITMoschino silk sequins mouth shirt size m total lebght 54 cm shoulder to hem 50 cm check pics carefully , some signs of useCategory
1990s Italian Shirts
- Vintage 1960s Marimekko of Finland 60s Pink and Green Checkered Tunic Mini DressBy MARIMEKKO of Finland, MarimekkoLocated in San Diego, CAAdorable vintage 1960s Marimekko of Finland cotton tunic! Pink and green checkered, with cute pink buttons up the bodice, and at each sleeve cuff. Intr...Category
1960s Finnish Tunics
$360 Sale Price20% Off - Hermes République Francaise Liberté Égalité Fraternité 1789 Silk SweaterBy HermèsLocated in Chillerton, Isle of WightHermes République Francaise Liberté Égalité Fraternité 1789 Silk Twill Wool Knit Trim Shirt Sweater. Original silk screen design c1989 by Joachim...Category
1980s French Pullovers
- Vintage Escada Silk ShirtBy EscadaLocated in London, GBA pretty vintage silk shirt by Escada. In a mix animal print and floral, the shirt has a front button opening with four button cuff. Size 36 Measurements ...Category
1990s Unknown Blouses and Tops