Alaia red patent leather croc-embossed wallet
View Similar Items
Alaia red patent leather croc-embossed wallet
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)Length: 8 in (20.32 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14022336593
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.
- Vivienne Westwood red wool back-to-front skirt suit, fw 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood red wool back-to-front skirt suit with gold fox engraved button fastenings at the centre back opening and black velvet Peter Pan collar. Vivienne Westwood was photographed wearing this suit at various public events in 1991-1992, including the presentation of her fall-winter 1992 collection (March, 1992), photographed alongside Azzedine Alaia, Kylie Minogue...Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood red stirrup 'Civilizade' leggings, ss 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood red cotton jersey stirrup leggings. 'Civilizade' Spring-Summer 1989Category
1980s British Pants
- Gianni Versace red cotton cutwork mini skirt suit, ss 2002By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace red cotton mini skirt suit ▪ Cutwork technique ▪ Fitted jacket with metal corset hooks ▪ High waisted mini skirt ▪ IT 40 - FR 36 - U...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirt Suits
- Gucci by Tom Ford red lambskin leather wide leg drawstring pants, ss 2001By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GB▪ Gucci unisex pants ▪ Designed by Tom Ford ▪ Red lambskin leather ▪ Wide leg ▪ Drawstring waist fastening ▪ Parallel stitch detail on the hem ▪ Size IT 46 ▪ Spring-Summer 2001 ▪...Category
Early 2000s Italian Pants
- Alexander McQueen red silk chiffon empire evening dress with train, fw 2008By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen red crinkled silk chiffon empire evening dress with long train, structured bust and draped skirt. Fall-Winter 2008Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Thierry Mugler red pant suit with silver metal rings, c. 1990sBy Thierry MuglerLocated in London, GBThierry Mugler red pant suit with decorative silver metal rings. c. 1990sCategory
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Hermes Rouge Pivoine Epsom Leather Clochette Cles Tressage Bag CharmBy HermèsLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Hermes helps you adorn your bags with an accent by proffering this too-cute-to-be-true bag charm which can be attached with a strap and is enhanced with beautiful colors.Category
2010s French Wallets and Small Accessories
- Gucci Red Matelassé Leather GG Marmont Belt BagBy GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...Category
2010s Italian Belt Bags
- Bottega Veneta Red Leather Zip Coin PurseBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Made from supple leather, it features a sleek, minimalist design with a secure zip closure. The compact size makes it perfect for storing coins and small essentials while adding a to...Category
2010s Italian Wallets
- Dior Red Cannage Patent Leather Lady Dior Gusset Card CaseBy Christian DiorLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Lady Dior gusset card case is a Dior creation that is functional, durable, and high on style! This red case has been crafted from patent leather and it carries the signature Cann...Category
2010s Italian Tech Accessories and Cases
- Valentino Rockstud Zip Pouch Red Leather 1VAL726KBy ValentinoLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: TVH268VMQ3 Made In: Italy Measurements: Length: 7.5" Width: 0.25" Height: 5" OVERALL VERY GOOD CONDITION ( 8/10 or AB ) Accessories: None Signs o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pouches and Wristlets
- Gucci Red Leather Bamboo Tassel Zip Around WalletBy GucciLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Keep it classy and chic with this minimally designed Gucci wallet. Designed in a red shade, it is crafted from leather, and it is adorned with silver-tone accents. The top zipper clo...Category
2010s Italian Wallets
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.