1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA cream cropped mohair sweater
View Similar Items
1980's AZZEDINE ALAIA cream cropped mohair sweater
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S/M (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:wool, mohair
- Condition:excellent.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU111101811336
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.
- 1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA oversized tan cardigan sweater coat with pocketsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CAOversized, tan knit sweater jacket with open closure and large patch pockets designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to spring of 1985. Labeled a size 'S'. Fits many sizes due to the overs...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- 1986 AZZEDINE ALAIA heavy knit black RUNWAY cardigan sweater coat with zippersBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack, densely knit wool cardigan sweater jacket with brass zippers and ribbed trim from Azzedine Alaia dating to fall of 1986 exactly as seen on the runway. Labeled a size 'XS' alth...Category
1980s Italian Jackets
- CELINE by PHOEBE PHILO oversized sweater with rounded sleeves and net overlayBy Phoebe Philo, CelineLocated in San Fransisco, CASpectacular oversized cream sweater with rounded sleeves and net overlay designed by Phoebe Philo for Celine. This is a very rare piece of Old Celine. La...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pullovers
- 1990's COMME DES GARCONS slim black ribbed sweaterBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack ribbed slim fit sweater designed by Rei Kawakubo for Comme Des Garcons dating to the 1990's. No size is labeled however the fabric is very stretchy and will accommodate a size ...Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Pullovers
- 1980's VALENTINO cream and tan sweater with puff shouldersBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CACream and tan sweater with puff shoulders designed by Valentino dating to the early 1980's. Best fits an XS or S. Approximate measurements (unstretched)...Category
1980s Italian Pullovers
- 1980's DRIES VAN NOTEN cashmere and wool knit top with button back closureBy Dries van NotenLocated in San Fransisco, CABillowy, jet-black high neck top with button back closure from Dries Van Noten dating to the 1980's. Size 40. Has an oversized/loose fit. Approximate measurements: shoulder 18", bust...Category
1980s Belgian Sweaters
- Italian Couture Missoni Long Belted Cardigan Sweater Coat with Wide Half SleevesBy MissoniLocated in Tustin, CALong, belted, heavy knitted cardigan sweater coat from couture Italian high end fashion designer, Missoni features a subtle pattern of light and dark gray mohair wool. Sweater has a...Category
1980s Italian Cardigans
$495 Sale Price34% Off - Three Sam Kori George Courture Atelier Cashmere Sweater Coats. Priced Per PieceLocated in Buchanan, MITHREE SAM KORI GEORGE CASHMERE SWEATER COATS. Priced per sweater coat. Only worn once. 4-5 Ply Comprising of a white, red, and beige sweater coats Appr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Coats
- Two Sam Kori George Cashmere Sweaters. Black And Cream With Sholder Detail.Located in Buchanan, MITWO SAM KORI GEORGE CASHMERE SWEATERS. Comprising of a black and cream sweater with shoulder detail Nice weight, 4-5 ply and of highest quality. Pri...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Pullovers
- Rare ESKANDAR Shawl Collar Jacket Long BLACK Linen Sz 1By EskandarLocated in Asheville, NCEEskandar, Spring 2009 Collection, Shawl Collar Jacket, Long, Black, Made in England, 100% Linen, Size 1 Measurements Laying Flat Bust: 37" Waist: 35" Hips: 38" Shoulder to Shoulder...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cardigans
- Rare ESKANDAR NWT Slim Sleeve Rolling Front Cardigan Long Plus O/S Cloud/WhiteBy EskandarLocated in Asheville, NCEskandar, Winter 2018 Collection, Slim Sleeve Rolling Front Cardigan, Long Plus, 100% Merino, Made in Scotland, O/S, Two Front Pockets, Two-Tone Plain Merino, Cloud/White, Drop Shoul...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cardigans
- Vintage DELAWARE STREET Avant Garde FOX Fur CASHMERE Cable Knit Sweater USALocated in Asheville, NCDelaware Street, Made in USA, Dyed Fox Fur on Sleeves, Burgundy Color, Handmade Cashmere Blend Cable Knit, Tie Top and Waist Tie to Clinch Measurements Laying Flat (Has Stretch) Bu...Category
Mid-20th Century Pullovers
$340 Sale Price20% Off