Azzedine Alaia black leather jacket and skirt set, fw 1983
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 40 - UK 12 - US 8 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140214841642
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.
- Dolce & Gabbana leopard print silk coat, pants and bra ensemble, ss 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana leopard print ensemble ▪ Brown leopard printed silk ▪ Lightweight floor-length single-breasted coat ▪ High-waisted straight leg trousers ▪ Matching nylon bra to...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Prada by Miuccia Prada black lace evening ensemble, fw 2008By Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in London, GB▪ Prada evening skirt suit ▪ Designed by Miuccia Prada ▪ Black 3D Swiss lace ▪ Halter vest with peplum and open back ▪ Pencil skirt ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Fall-Winter 2...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen black lace ruffled blouse and pants ensemble, ss 1999By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen black lace ruffled blouse and flared pants ensemble. Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace black wool double strap playsuit with gold crystal studs, ss 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace black evening playsuit ▪ Double strap ▪ Sweetheart neckline ▪ Bow and criss-cross detail at center-front ▪ Gold studs with crystals ▪ 62% Virgin Wool, 38% Silk ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Margiela Artisanal black glove top and pleated skirt runway ensemble, ss 2001By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GBMartin Margiela; Runway ensemble (LOOK #10) Artisanal shirt-front made out of black leather gloves and oversized black artisanal skirt made out of vintage pleated skirts...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace Couture Black Silver Silk Wool Lamè Evening Skirt Suit 1980sBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Brindisi, BtGianni Versace Couture evening 80s vintage women's skirt suit. Jacket and skirt in wool and silk . Color black laminated, inside silver lining. Jacket with clip closure, sheath skirt...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 2006 Valentino Runway Beaded Black Silk Avant Garde Beaded Jacket & SkirtBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORThis is an absolutely sensational Valentino Garavani Spring 2006 raw silk skirt evening suit with a gorgeous blazer that has a beaded bow with tassels i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- New Vintage Givenchy Couture Black Velvet Sequins & Lace Evening Suit w TagsBy GivenchyLocated in Portland, ORThis black velvet Givenchy Couture skirt suit is embellished with black sequins and lace. We love the bold gold tone starburst and black enamel buttons on the jacket. The black velv...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Pauline Trigère Ensemble with Fox TrimBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Alford, MAStunning Pauline Trigère 1970s ensemble in black wool crepe, the simple dress underneath an unusual reverse cape/shawl terminating in deep black fox trim at t...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1990s Vintage Donna Karan 2pc Cashmere Silk Evening Dress W Sequins & CardiganBy Donna KaranLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage Donna Karan 3 piece evening ensemble includes a 2 piece vintage dress with an open cardigan. The skirt and halter top are perfect for any special occasion or cocktail p...Category
1990s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- Diane Freis Limited Edition Black Silk Jersey Dress & Pants W Velvet DetailBy Diane FreisLocated in Portland, ORWe absolutely love Diane Freis vintage pieces and this one is so unique! This vintage Diane Freis 2 piece evening ensemble is in a black silk jersey with velvet burnout accents in sh...Category
1980s Hong Kong Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.