1990's Azzedine Alaia Green Mock Turtleneck & Legging Set
View Similar Items
1990's Azzedine Alaia Green Mock Turtleneck & Legging Set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Altered (not by designer).
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2282854022
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.
- 1960s Nina Ricci Black Cloque Silk EnsembleBy Nina RicciLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant 1960's Nina Ricci cloque (blister effect) silk dress and matching jacket with cream colored silk lining. The darling dress has a fitted bodice with an empire waist. It is the...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
$840 Sale Price30% Off - 1990s Prada Brown Techno Fabric Skirt SuitBy PradaLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s brown Prada skirt suit made from Prada's iconic technical stretch nylon. The fabric wears incredibly well and does not wrinkle. Jacket is a classic blazer with a notched collar...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1990's Moschino Brown Wool and Velvet Skirt SuitBy MoschinoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990's chocolate brown boucle wool Moschino skirt suit with ruched brown velvet trim. Four flap pockets on the front of the jacket give this a classic appeal. The extravagantly ruche...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1970's Mila Schon Black Wool and Velvet Skirt SuitBy Mila SchonLocated in Toronto, OntarioSmart 1970's black Mila Schon skirt suit. Wool with jet black velvet lapels and side panels on the skirt. Two front buttons on the single breasted jacket. Elastic waist skirt. Excell...Category
1970s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1980s Ferre Navy Fuzzy Lurex Top and SkirtBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, OntarioUnique Ferre ensemble from the 1980s. A black tie take on the classic Rugby jersey, the top is made from a shimmery lurex fabric and has black and navy horizontal stripes. Accented w...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1980's Yohji Yamamoto Black Wool Suit with Net PocketsBy Yohji YamamotoLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery chic Yohji Yamamoto power suit from the 1980s. The long fitted blazer is double breasted and has black net patch pockets on the front at the hips. The pants are high waisted and...Category
1980s Japanese Trouser Pant Suits
- 1950s Green and Black Wool SuitLocated in San Francisco, CA1950s wool suit featuring shades of olive, sage, and forest green with an asymmetrical button closure accented with additional matching hand-covered buttons. The shawl collar is modi...Category
1950s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Marella blouse and pants suitLocated in Capri, ITMarella blouse and pants suit Blue sequins blouse with black belt and dark blue pants suit made in italt in size 42Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
$420 Sale Price20% Off - Sonia Rykiel Three Piece Tuxedo Style Black Pant Suit, 1980'sBy Sonia RykielLocated in Atlanta, GAA versatile 1980's Sonia Rykiel three piece suit in a black rayon/acetate blend crepe fabric, including jacket, top and pants. The chic details, including a satin finish to the coll...Category
1980s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Silk Coat and DressLocated in London, GBA chic vintage outfit in a petrol blue silk. The dress is sleaveless with a round neckline and central back zip. The cot has elbow length sleaves ...Category
1960s British Dress and Coat Ensembles
$435 Sale Price20% Off - Resort/12 Look # 8 VERSACE FLORAL BLACK and WHITE SUIT w/LEATHER CORSET 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual PR-sample Resort 2012 Look # 8 Black and White Floral print skirt suit (skirt, top) + Leather corset Gold-tone hardware Asymmetrical detail Content: Top: 1...Category
2010s Italian Skirt Suits
$1,608 Sale Price35% Off - 1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitBy Sonia RykielLocated in New York, NY1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitCategory
1980s Jumpsuits