Alaia Blue Bodysuit and Leggings Ensemble
View Similar Items
Alaia Blue Bodysuit and Leggings Ensemble
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 28 in (71.12 cm)Hip: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU45367162
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.
- Valentino Silver Crochet Cardigan With Fur Collar & Bikini Top 2004By ValentinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is excited to offer a stunning Valentino metallic silver crochet cardigan sweater featuring a luxurious brown fur collar, rhinestone buttons, and a matching triangle bik...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Chloe By Karl Lagerfeld Black Skirt Ensemble With Rhinestone AppliqueBy Karl Lagerfeld for ChloeLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld black skirt ensemble. The jacket features long sleeves, shoulder pads, rhinestones appliques at the cuffs, and ...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Junya Watanabe Iconic Black Cotton Zipper Collar Ensemble 2005By Junya WatanabeLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons black cotton top and skirt with zipper details. The top fea...Category
20th Century Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vintage Versace Powder Blue Cardigan with Matching CamisoleBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Gianni Versace powder blue knit cardigan with a fox fur collar that features beaded accents, and a matching knit camisole with ribbed bustline a...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vintage Ann Demeulemeester Black Wool RomperBy Ann DemeulemeesterLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Ann Demeulemeester black sleeveless v-neck romper with buttons down center front, two front pockets and one back pocket, and adjustable straps at waist and at back. Excellen...Category
20th Century Jumpsuits
- Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Bronze Metallic Jumpsuit & Cropped Jacket EnsembleBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Jean Paul Gaultier bronze metallic & black knit sleeveless jumpsuit with matching crop top / jacket featuring three-quarter length sleeves. The jumpsuit has a invisible zippe...Category
20th Century French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- JEAN PAUL GAULTIER SS 2001 co-ord mesh shirt and trousers Bacteria printBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Genève, CHCo-ord set with iconic Bacteria print from Gaultier SS 2001, fantastic condition. Made in Italy. Set is Top is in size XL, made of extremely flexible polyamide mesh and can fit from...Category
Early 2000s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
$569 Sale Price20% Off - Miu Miu mint beaded embellished crewneck top & mint pencil skirt set, ss 2004By Miu Miu, Miuccia PradaLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 12,13 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Mint embellished keyhole detail top - Crew-neck top - Hidden side zipper - Above knee-length pencil skirt - Spring summer 2004 - Made in ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirt Suits
$967 Sale Price20% Off - Yves Saint Laurent 1980s Floral Skirt SetBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Scottsdale, AZNobody does it quite like Yves Saint Laurent! Circa early 1980s, this YSL skirt set features an orange and red floral design. Wrap skirt has a hook and eye closure and blouse includes a subtly draped neckline. A true YSL piece, this set is perfect for spring and summer with your favorite Gucci platforms and YSL sun...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Dolce & Gabbana viscose jersey turquoise floral pant suit, circa 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana viscose jersey turquoise floral pant suit with embellished cuffs c. 1996-1999Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vivienne Westwood blue denim pant suit with bleached floral print, ss 1994By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood blue denim pant suit with bleached abstract floral print. Fitted cropped denim jacket and high waisted slim fit jeans. ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood blue denim star print 'Mini Crini' dungarees. ss 1985By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood blue denim star print 'Mini Crini' dungarees 'Mini Crini' Spring-Summer 1985Category
1980s British Jumpsuits