1990s Alaïa Maroon Leather Portfolio
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU228216640672
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: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1960s Black Resin Rhinestone Embellished Evening ClutchLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant and sleek 1960s black resin rounded rectangle evening clutch. Interesting swivel claw closure, embellished with rhinestones. Clean black velvet interior. Fits an iPhone. Exce...Category
1960s Unknown Clutches
- 1960's Pierre Cardin Navy Logo Fabric ClutchBy Pierre CardinLocated in Toronto, OntarioPierre Cardin clutch from the 1960s. Frame style with gold tone metal frame and clasp. Navy blue jacquard with all over Pierre Cardin logos. Navy ...Category
1960s French Clutches
- 1980s Rodo Black Satin Clutch with Metal Bow DetailBy RodoLocated in Toronto, OntarioRed carpet ready stunning black satin clutch by Italian designer, Rodo. Silver metal bow detail at clasp. Clean interior with Rodo logo lining. Hidden 23" lo...Category
1880s Italian Clutches
- 1980s Rodo Pewter Minaudiere Clutch with Faux Granite DetailingBy RodoLocated in Toronto, OntarioPewter hard case minaudiere Rodo clutch dating from the 1980s with interesting faux granite detailing at clasp. Light wear throughout. Metallic silver leat...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- 1980s Judith Leiber Luxe Patchwork ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Toronto, OntarioKnown for her exquisite use of exotic skins, this 1980s patchwork multi-skin brown and black geometric over-sized clutch with punch clasp by Leiber is a must have. The clutch has a f...Category
1980s American Clutches
- 1970s Gucci Black Suede ClutchBy GucciLocated in Toronto, OntarioGucci black suede evening clutch from the 1960s. Envelope shape with interlocking gold metal G logo at centre that conceal a snap closure. Black leat...Category
1960s Italian Clutches
- Judith Leiber Jeweled Clutch, Black And Clear Crrystals With Silver Strap.By Judith LeiberLocated in Buchanan, MIJudith Leiber Jeweled Clutch, Black And Clear Crrystals With Silver Strap.Category
20th Century Clutches
- Animal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber, Great Condition.Located in Buchanan, MIAnimal Motif Crystal Clutch In The Style Of Judith Leiber Great Condition, No Crystals missing. Silver Strap Inclosed.Category
20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Fendi Navy ClutchLocated in New York, NYLength: 13 Inches Height: 10 Inches Material: NylonCategory
1990s Clutches
- Alaia Black Leather ClutchLocated in New York, NYLength: 11 Inches Height: 7.5 Inches Material: LeatherCategory
1990s Clutches
- Louis Vuitton Sobe Clutch Electric Epi Leather BurgundyBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLCrafted handbag in a streamlined form with amaranth Electric Epi leather and a silver-toned LV emblem on the front. This clutch is both functional and elegant, making it ideal for nu...Category
2010s Italian Clutches
- Chanel Silver Python Timeless ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLPython clutch by Chanel. The color silver is reflected by the sun and generates distinct hues. This gorgeous bag is a one-of-a-kind, very rare collectible. This clutch is easy to car...Category
2010s French Clutches