Azzedine Alaïa Lace-Up Leather Sandals
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaïa Lace-Up Leather Sandals
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 37.5 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU736310233432
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.
- Avant Garde Roberto Cavalli Magenta Suede Two Tone Thigh High Boots Size 41By Roberto CavalliLocated in Tustin, CAVery avant garde, crafted from the finest leathers, breathtakingly fierce, Italian luxury brand, Roberto Cavalli, thigh high boots. These edgy boots feature pointed toes, a split of...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Boots
$1,120 Sale Price20% Off - DIOR SS 2005 wedges Sandals with floral print by John GallianoBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in Genève, CHWonderful pair of Christian Dior by John Galliano sandals with wedges covered by silk floral printed fabric and 3 front pearls at the ankle. Condition is really good, only some stain...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sandals
- Dior FW 2002 Rasta SneakersBy Christian DiorLocated in Avon, CT- Guaranteed 100% Authentic. - Great preowned condition. Sneakers were cleaned by professionals at Rago, great vintage condition. These shoes are rarely found with the Dior charm in...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- Vintage Christian Dior Knee High Monogram Diorissimo BootsBy Christian DiorLocated in Malibu, CAThese fabulous pink & white vintage sneaker boots by John Galliano for Dior are covered in Christian Dior's monogram diorissimo print. From the runway!...Category
20th Century Boots
- Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 sculptural snakeskin heels Size 7By Alexander McQueenLocated in Malibu, CAFrom the Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear Runway Show Cream colored snakeskin shoe that lace up all the way Heel Height 6" Condition: - soles have normal wear for being pre owned - very ...Category
2010s Heels
- Jimmy Choo, Dakota 100 metallic wedgeBy Jimmy ChooLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLJimmy Choo, Dakota 100 metallic lizard effect wedge. The item is new - unworn • CONDITION: new - unworn • SIZE: 38.5 • INSOLE MEASUREMENTS: 25 cm • HEEL MEASUREMENTS: 11 cm PLAT...Category
2010s Shoes