Alaia Black Python Studded Clutch Bag w/ Mirror
View Similar Items
Alaia Black Python Studded Clutch Bag w/ Mirror
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 124205-41stDibs: LU2047858941
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.
- RARE Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Classic Cage Woven Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Lambskin Leather Classic Cage Woven Chain Flap Bag Made In: Year of Production: 2020 Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Lambskin leather Lining: Burgundy Closur...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vintage Black Lambskin Leather Quilted Medium Diana Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Lambskin Leather Quilted Medium Single Flap Diana Bag Made In: France Year of Production: 1994-1996 Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: ...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Caviar Leather 10" Medium Double Flap Classic BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black Caviar Leather 10" Medium Double Flap Classic Bag with Goldtone Hardware Made In: France Year of Production: 2021 Color: Black, gold Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Caviar leather, metal Lining: Black leather Closure/Opening: Flap top with CC twistlock and snap flap under Exterior Pockets: Half moon patch pocket Interior Pockets: Zipper pocket on top flap, back section under top flap, two wall pockets in middle section, front section Exterior Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition with very light wear to the corners. Interior Condition: Excellent pre-owned condition Includes: Chanel dust...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vintage Black Patent Hardcase Shoulder/Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Vintage Quilted Black Patent Leather Hardcase Shoulder Bag Made In: Italy Year of Production: 1989-1991 Color: Black Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Patent leather Lining: Smoo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Petite Boite Chapeau Crossbody BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in New York, NYLouis Vuitton Monogram Petite Boite Chapeau Crossbody Bag Made In: France Color: Brown Hardware: Goldtone Materials: Coate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Brown Quilted 19 Wallet On Chain WOC Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Brown Quilted 19 Wallet On Chain WOC Crossbody Bag Made In: Italy Year of Production: 2022 Color: Caramel brown Hardware: Goldtone, darkened silver, ruthenium Materials: Lamb...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Spring 2007 Limited Edition Charm Rare Black Leather ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLAmazing clutch from Chanel 2007 Runway. Has been seen on many celebs including Penelope Cruz and Victoria Beckham. Chanel has come out with several similar pieces this past year how...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Carlos Falchi Multi-Textured Exotic Skins Coco Brown ClutchBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYAs only Carlos Falchi can, This wonderful multi-texture combination of lizard, snake and pylon skin finished with lambskin leather piping along the edges as well as the interi...Category
1980s Spanish Clutches
$685 Sale Price50% Off - Judith Leiber Exquisite Crystal Encrusted Figural Woman Minaudière circa 1980sBy Judith LeiberLocated in University City, MOJudith Leiber Exquisite crystal encrusted figural woman minaudiere' The opulent gilt metal figural evening bag is designed with an elegant woman's head. Encrusted with contiguous row...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Bags and Minaudières
$1,875 Sale Price41% Off - Sergio Rossi Black Suede Evening Shoulder Bag 1980sBy Sergio RossiLocated in Brindisi, BtSergio Rossi 80s vintage elegant bag. Square model rigid with shoulder strap, fabric in velvet, color black with details in color gold. Zip and button closure. Made in Italy. Excelle...Category
1980s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel CC Logo Letter Rare Vintage Black Silk Satin ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLExquisite rare small Chanel black satin silver logo CC letter clutch. This evening clutch is made of satin with a large CC logo made of both silver hardware frame and black quilted ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Chanel Rare 2004 Runway Vintage Mini Trunk Vanity Case Lucite Small MinaudièreBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare 2004 Runway Vintage Mini Trunk Vanity Case Lucite Small Minaudière Year: 2004 Measurements: Length: 4" Width: 3" Height: 4" Handle Drop: 4" Cl...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches