ALAIA white cotton summer dress
View Similar Items
ALAIA white cotton summer dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38 (EU)Bust: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Cotton
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4262353983
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.
- Dolce and Gabbana 2004 White Beaded Rhinestones Flapper DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Beverly Hills, CARare 2004 Dolce and Gabbana White Spaghetti Strap Beaded Rhinestones Dress with tassel beads. Flapper Dress. Perfect for Holiday cocktail Party ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Paco Rabanne Metal Disc Cocktail DressBy Paco RabanneLocated in Beverly Hills, CARare Paco Rabanne Runway cocktail dress. Fit size 4 ** Dress weigh around 8lbCategory
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1950s Philip Hulitar Ivory and Black Velvet Pearl Encrusted Beaded GownBy Philip HulitarLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis vintage Phillip Hulitar 1950s, ivory silk chiffon and black velvet cocktail dress is the perfect party dress or great for wedding. Gown has intricate black velvet, ivory silk chiffon, pearl encrusted, leaf-motif bodice and its double-layer, silk chiffon ballroom skirt...Category
1950s American Vintage Bridal Gowns
$1,900 Sale Price20% Off - 80s Zandra Rhodes off white silk dress with butterfly printBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 80s Zandra Rhodes off white silk dress with butterfly print. Bust: 36'/ waist: 29"/ HIp: 34"/ length: 39Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1970s GUCCI Creme and Blue Plaid Linen 70s Day DressBy GucciLocated in Beverly Hills, CAVintage 1970s Gucci creme and blue plaid linen dress. Bust: 36"/ Waist: 32"/ Hip: 36"/ Length: 42"Category
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
- 1970s Silk Jersey Multi Color Abstract Print Maxi dressLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Multi Color ( purple, pink, blue , and yellow ) abstract print silk jersey dress with long sash. Dress can be worn 2 way see pictures attached. You can style it as Halter dres...Category
1970s Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Alaia Iconic White and Black Short DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Paris, FRAlaia flared dress featuring a white and black geometric pattern, a scalloped neck, an invisible back zip fastening, a sleeveless design, a fitted waist, a flared skirt, a short leng...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Mini Dress
- Comme des Garcons Coveted 2011 Hybrid Vintage Scarf DressBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CARei Kawakubo's "Hybrid Fashion" collection of F/W 2011 features asymmetric ruched, twisted and draped dresses on a background, showcasing a colorful display of multiple vintage silk scarves. Rei has incorporated her longtime personal collection of scarves into this unique, vintage scarf dress...Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Capri, ITVersace multicoloured dress chemisier with belt NWOTCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Nina Ricci White Cotton Blend Lace Dress FR36By Nina RicciLocated in Brossard, QCLined with silk for a luxurious feel, nina ricci's cotton-blend lace dress is a fantasy of a frock. The snow-white colour, flocks of texture at the hem and a-line silhouette make it...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Cocktail Dresses