1980'S AZZEDINE ALAIA ultra mini leather skirt with buckles
View Similar Items
1980'S AZZEDINE ALAIA ultra mini leather skirt with buckles
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU81256730
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.
- 1996 TOM FORD for GUCCI black spazzalato leather belt with gilt buckleBy Gucci, Tom FordLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, documented, plum silk 'obi' belt with black braided leather ties designed by Tom Ford for Gucci dating to fall of 2002. Also, as features in the fall ad campaign. Belt me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Belts
- 1990's DRIES VAN NOTEN black leather corset beltBy Dries van NotenLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, black leather belt with lace up corset detailing designed by Dries Van Noten dating to the late 1990's. Size 70. Belt measures approximately: just under 5.5" at widest and...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Belts
- 1970's YVES SAINT LAURENT colorful leather belt with black trimBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, colorful leather belt with black leather trim and gunmetal hardware from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 1970's. Labeled a size 1. Belt best fits a US size 0 to slim 4 (b...Category
1970s French Belts
- AZZEDINE ALAIA leopard printed corset belt with black leather trim & studsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAExtra-wide, leopard-printed, calf hair belt with studded detail, triple buckle closure and black leather trim from Azzedine Alaia. French size 80. Belt measures just under 4.75" wide...Category
2010s Italian Belts
- 1988 AZZEDINE ALAIA red and purple leather RUNWAY belt with brass pyramid studsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAUnique, red and purple leather belt with brass pyramid studs from Azzedine Alaia as seen on the fall 1988 runway. Best is labeled a French size 65. Width is 2.25" and holes fall at 2...Category
1980s French Belts
- AZZEDINE ALAIA brown sleek leather beltBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CASize 70. Fits a 25-28" waist. Hidden hardware. Made in France. Excellent/very good condition.Category
1980s French Belts
- Bonnie Cashin Poncho Boucle Knit Cape with Lime Leather Turnlock Belt VintageBy Bonnie Cashin for Sills, Bonnie CashinLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLBrilliant Bonnie Cashin! Always practical, always stylish and her pieces continue to influence fashion designers to this day. Preowned, vintage Bonnie Cashin for Sills 2pc Poncho C...Category
1960s American Capes
- Krizia Leather Harness Top 1980sBy KriziaLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous brown leather harness top from Krizia. It has shoulder straps crossing at the upper back wrapping around the mid back closing in the front u...Category
1980s Italian Vests
$295 Sale Price21% Off - D&G Dolce and Gabbana Metal Leather Gold Bondage Black Bustier Top Corset BeltBy Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in PARIS, FRThis corset belt by Dolce & Gabbana is crafted from a blend of fabrics that features a front zipper and gold hardware detailing, finished with a leather buckled belt and a lace-up de...Category
Early 2000s Italian Belts
- John Galliano for Christian Dior Black + Gunmetal Late 1990s Skinny Vintage BeltBy Christian DiorLocated in San Diego, CATres chic JOHN GALLIANO for CHIRSTIAN DIOR late 90s black and gunmetal skinny belt! Features black leather, with a gunmetal round 'balls' plaque on each side of the front. Has just t...Category
1990s French Belts
- F/W 2013 Look # 30 NEW VERSACE T-STRAP EMBELLISHED HARNESS with CRYSTALS 38 - 4By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual runway sample Fall/Winter 2013 Look # 30 This fully embellished t-strap harness from Versace features spike studs and crystal hardware...Category
2010s Italian Belts
$2,518 Sale Price35% Off - Longchamp Wide Suede Belt with Gold Chain 1990sBy LongchampLocated in Water Mill, NYA fabulous black suede belt adorned with a 1" wide gold chain. It's width ranges from 3" to 5" and the chain wraps around the belt on an angle. The bel...Category
1990s French Belts