Azzedine Alaia apricot acetate stirrup pant suit, fw 1985
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140211685922
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Azzedine Alaia copper acetate bandage skirt and bodysuit, ss 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia copper bandage skirt and bodysuit ▪ 100% Acetate ▪ Eight connecting panels ▪ Skin bearing lace-up string fastening ▪ Halterneck bodysuit ▪ Size Small ▪ Sprin...Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano camel wool skirt suit, fw 1999By John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano camel wool skirt suit comprising: fitted jacket with a chunky knitted collar and cuffs, and matching skirt with ribbed wool hem and large button back ...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace multicoloured silk pant suit, ss 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace multicoloured silk pant suit. Spring-Summer 1992Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior by John Galliano green tweed 3-piece suit, fw 1998By John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano green tweed 3-piece suit comprising: single breasted blazer jacket with shawl lapel, straight leg pants and knee le...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Alexander McQueen quilted nude leather jumpsuit fw 2004By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBQuilted nude leather jumpsuit by Alexander McQueen, from his F/W 2004 collection "Pantheon Ad Lucem"Category
Early 2000s British Jumpsuits
- Issey Miyake multicoloured devoré and silk skirt suit, fw 1996By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBIssey Miyake multicoloured devoré and silk skirt suit. Loose fit blouse with button fastenings paired with a maxi skirt with exposed red silk lining and two side pockets Fall-Winter...Category
1990s Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- S/S 1991 Gianni Versace Marilyn Monroe Pop Art Warhol Skirt SuitBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Concord, NCGianni Versace Couture skirt suit in excellent condition from Spring Summer 1991 featuring an Andy Warhol inspired pop art motif of pop culture icons Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. ...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Christian Lacroix Skirt SuitBy Christian LacroixLocated in New York, NY1990s Christian Lacroix skirt suit. Such a beautiful piece with bright floral details throughout; an embodiment of his extravagent craftsmanship and love fo...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- 1970s Yves Saint Laurent Pop Art Floral Cotton Skirt and Shirt SetBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Miami, FL1970s Yves Saint Laurent YSL set of button down shirt and skirt in a bright pop art floral print on crisp cotton. Collared and button down shirt with a zip and...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Vivienne Westwood Spring 1994 Checked Two Piece Skirt Suit SetBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Vivienne Westwood Spring 1994 “Cafe Society” collection Blue & yellow checked skirt & jacket suit set Fitted blazer jacket High waisted mini skirt Zip up side of skir...Category
1990s Skirt Suits
- Chanel golden sand cashmere and silk twin set F/W 2008 FR 42By ChanelLocated in Rubiera, REChanel golden sand twin set F/W 2008 collection Cashmere and silk Golden metal lions buttons Size FR 42 Made in Italy Excellent conditionCategory
Early 2000s Twin Sets
- Jean Paul Gaultier Abstract Polka Dots Set Cardigan and Tank TopBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in GOUVIEUX, FRBy Jean Paul Gaultier from the iconic 1994 Spring Summer Ready to Wear Collection. 2 piece set Cardigan and Tank Top. Circa 1994. · Long sleeves cardigan · Tank Top . Mesh Size F...Category
1910s Italian Twin Sets
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.