1992 AZZEDINE ALAIA black structred and seamed suit
View Similar Items
1992 AZZEDINE ALAIA black structred and seamed suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38/ US 2 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. minor wear to fabric.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU81226884
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.
- 1960's Cristóbal Balenciaga haute couture black brocade dress and jacketBy BalenciagaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare jet black floral brocade dress and matching jacket from Cristobal Balenciaga dating to the early 1960's. Ensemble best fits a small US s...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980's VALENTINO black wool coat and matching skirt with velvet detailBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack wool coat and matching skirt with velvet detail designed by Valentino dating to the 1980's. Jacket is labeled an 8 and skirt has no size label. Coat measure approximately: shou...Category
1980s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1960's JOSEPH MAGNIN wool houndstooth swing coat with neck tie & skirtBy Joseph Magnin Co.Located in San Fransisco, CACream and black houndstooth woven wool swing coat with necktie and matching skirt made for Joseph Magnin dating to the 1960's. Coat fits many sizes due to loose cute. Approximate mea...Category
20th Century American Coats
- 1958 EISA by CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA haute couture black boucle wool skirt suitBy Eisa, BalenciagaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare, jet-black boucle wool haute couture suit designed by Cristobal Balenciaga for his Eisa boutique dating to fall of 1958. Suit best fits a size 0-4 . Approximate measurement...Category
1950s Spanish Jackets
- 1950's LUCILE MANGUIN haute couture silk apron dress and jacketBy Lucile ManguinLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare haute couture dress and jacket made of floral silk designed by Lucile Manguin dating to the 1950's. Best fits a US 12. Jacket measures 42" at bust, 16" at shoulders, 42" at...Category
1950s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
$450 Sale Price64% Off - 1990's ISSEY MIYAKE iridescent burgundy draped collar suitBy Issey MiyakeLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery unique iridescent burgundy suit with dramatic draped collar from Issey Miyake dating to the 1990's. Size M. Approximate measurements for jacket: sho...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Trouser Pant Suits
- YVES SAINT LAURENT BY TOM FORD S/S 2002 Runway Sheer Silk Two-PieceBy Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThis leopard print two piece was the opening look for Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring Summer 2002 Rive Gauche collection by Tom Ford. This elegant two-piece consists of a high waisted silk pencil skirt and a zip up sleeveless silk top in a classic leopard print. This safari inspired set features beautiful details such as the YSL logo on the right side of the front of the bodice, and also embossed on the zipper. The bodice features a deep V neckline, multiple pockets on the front and drawstrings at the sides, the back features a transparent panel...Category
Early 2000s French Twin Sets
- Vintage PIERRE CARDIN Paris Couture 1960s Two Piece Ensemble Skirt Jacket 38By Pierre Cardin Paris, Pierre CardinLocated in Asheville, NCPierre Cardin, 100% Wool, 1960's Couture, Made in France, Asymmetrical Layered Design, Two Faceted Buttons, Pleated Skirt, Metal Zipper, Slit on Back of Skirt, Vintage 38 Measuremen...Category
1960s French Skirt Suits
$909 Sale Price30% Off - GLORIA SACHS Couture 1980s Two Piece PAISLEY FUR Suit Skirt Jacket Wool 10By Gloria SachsLocated in Asheville, NCGloria Sachs, Iconic Suit, Vintage 1980's, 100% Pure Wool (Soft), Made in USA, Union Tag, Fully Lined. Jacket - Quilted, Five Wooden/Clay Round Buttons, Shoulder Pads, Two Pockets, ...Category
1980s Skirt Suits
$596 Sale Price25% Off - 1990's Vintage Moschino Jean pants suitBy Moschino, Moschino JeansLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR1990's Moschino Jeans pants suit straight legs with black All Over inscriptions patern, fabric is rayon and acetate. sizes FR 38 I 42 US 8 UK 12 Measurements : JACKET : shoulde...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- 1990s Vintage ensemble by Moschino JeansBy Moschino, Moschino JeansLocated in LAGNY-SUR-MARNE, FR2 piece 1990’s vintage ensemble by Moschino Jeans, it has been seen on the iconic Fran Fine on the Nanny sitcom, in perfect condition. Stretch fabric Sizes I 46 FR 42 US 12 UK ...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Gucci Spring 1997 Runway Two-Piece EnsembleBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in San Diego, CATwo-piece belted suede top and pants ensemble from the spring 1997 runway collection modeled by Kate Moss and designed by Tom Ford. Top: Chest: 34-38" Waist: 25-28" Length: 22" Pan...Category
1990s European Suits, Outfits and Ensembles