1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA draped black mini skirt with side buckle
View Similar Items
1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA draped black mini skirt with side buckle
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light signs of wear and creasing.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU818131692
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.
- new Azzedine Alaia black wool A-line skirtBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black wool A-line skirt with top-stitching from Azzedine Alaia dating to approximately 2010. French size 40 although this runs very small. Approximate measurements: waist from si...Category
2010s French Skirts
- 1990's AZZEDINE ALAIA cinnamon semi sheer skirt with contrasting trimBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CACinnamon colored semi sheer skirt with contrasting diamond knit detail from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Fits a size XS or S. Approximate unstretch...Category
1990s French Pleated Skirts
- HOMMA draped black wool skirtLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black draped wool skirt designed by Homma. Japanese size 3. Approximate measurements: waist 28" and length 33-35". Zip and button closure at side of waist. Fabric content: 100% w...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Skirts
- GUY LAROCHE black floor length bias cut skirt with ruched waistBy Guy LarocheLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black bias cut silk skirt with ruching at side from Guy Laroche dating to the early 1990's. Labeled a French size 40, which best fits a size 4 or 6. Waist measures 32" (meant to ...Category
20th Century French Skirts
- Azzedine Alaia black semi sheer skirt with contrasting trim, 1990sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet black semi sheer skirt with contrasting diamond knit detail from Azzedine Alaia dating to the 1990's. Labled a size S however this fits a size XS or S. Approximate unstretched me...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- 1980's ISSEY MIYAKE draped striped linen skirtBy Issey MiyakeLocated in San Fransisco, CAKhaki and terracotta striped skirt with draped closure designed by Issey Miyake dating to the early 1980's. Labeled a Japanese size '9'. The skirt measures approximately 28" at wai...Category
1980s Japanese Skirts
- Giorgio Armani Black Rayon Crepe Skirt Size EU40 / US 6By Giorgio Armani Le CollezioniLocated in New York, NYGiorgio Armani Le Collezioni flirty little black skirt with draped open front that flows from fitted waistband. Fabric is a soft rayon ble...Category
1990s Italian Skirts
- Joseph Belted Sash Black Skirt Size UK LBy JosephLocated in New York, NYThis is a skirt full of delightful surprises. It moves with you. Hidden slits and flaps, wrapped belted waist gives a variety of options for styling. The long sash belt allows for...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Bulgarian Skirts
$500 Sale Price28% Off - JUNYA WATANABE COMME DES GARCONS Leather Pleated SkirtBy Junya Watanabe Comme des GarçonsLocated in Berlin, BEAmazing pleated black leather skirt by Japanese designer Junya Watanabe. The luxurious leather skirt is made form a soft leather - it is fitted at the waistband and pleated at the b...Category
2010s Japanese Pleated Skirts
- 1990's vintage Moschino cheap & chic mini skirtBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's vintage Moschino cheap & chic mini skirt . It is in perfect condition with no damages. 92% Cashmere 6% Nylon. Runs true to size. matching coat available on the store. Sizes ...Category
1990s Pencil Skirts
- Margiela Wrap Skirt Black Line 4 Medium/One SizeBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Los Angeles, CAMargiela Wrap Skirt in Black Line 4 - Woman's garderobe (since Spring/Summer 2004) Size and fabric tag missing, feels like crisp vintage poly, nice and durable Open sizing, adjustabl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrap Skirts
- Richard Tyler Brocade Jacquard Metallic Skirt IT40 1990's XS/SBy Richard TylerLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Richard Tyler Skirt 1990's SZ IT40 GB 10 US 6 (Fits very small, model is size 2 and it is tight) Flat Measurements Waist 13.25 Inches Hips 18 Inches Length 21 Inches Bro...Category
1990s Pencil Skirts