Alaia Green Chenille Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (EU)Bust: 14.18 in (36 cm)Waist: 25.99 in (66 cm)Hip: 10.24 in (26 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 35.04 in (89 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sheung Wan, HK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU323220666652
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: Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati Grey Wool Long Maxi DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati "Edition Unisex" grey cashmere, silk and wool maxi dress. Stefano is a very talented designer which is famous for his chic, elegant yet details...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Maxi Dress
- 80s Style Black Jersey Gold Hardware RhineStones Cross Long DressBy Tadashi ShojiLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- 80s Style black jersey long dress. The brand name is Tadashi - Featuring ten gold hardware rhinestones cross throughout the sleeves. - Split on the bottom left side on the fron...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1998 Chanel Black A-Line Jersey Maxi DressBy ChanelLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Chanel black square neck A-Line jersey with split cut at the back maxi dress from 1998 collection. - Featuring two layers that first layer is wrapping around the second layer a...Category
1990s French Maxi Dress
- Gucci by Tom Ford Black Maxi DressBy GucciLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Gucci by Tom Ford black safari maxi dress from fall 1996 collection. - Front closure with gold Gucci "G" zipper, pointed collar and long le...Category
1990s Italian Maxi Dress
- D&G by Dolce & Gabbana Black Sheer Silk Cocktail DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- D&G by Dolce & Gabbana black sheer silk cocktail dress. - Featuring a black bow ribbon on the right spaghetti strap. Flesh coloured silk underlining and black sheer silk layere...Category
Early 2000s Tunisian Cocktail Dresses
- Chanel Black Wool Short Sleeves Double Breasted Long DressBy ChanelLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage Chanel wool black short sleeves double breasted long dress From 1996 fall collection. - Four front open pocket. - Fourteen gold toned "CC" buttons closure. - Collar N...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianfranco Ferre Favorite Avant Garde Beaded Blue Evening Dress NEWBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Los Angeles, CAGianfranco Ferre's highly architectural avant garde creation, designed with an art deco influence, is truly unique and imaginative in an amazing innovative and structurally breathtak...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- Louis Feraud Vintage Circa 80's Velvet DressBy Louis FeraudLocated in West Palm Beach, FLLouis Feraud vintage circa 80's eggplant velvet dress with sashCategory
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Circa 60's Purple Lace Cocktail DressLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage purple chantilly english lace coctail dress circa 60'sCategory
1960s Canadian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown-10-Circa 70'sBy Roger FreresLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRoger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown - Sz 10 - Circa 70's Additional Measurements: Bust 40" Waist 30" Shoulder to Shoulder 16" Sleeve length 25" Length 59"Category
1970s French Evening Gowns
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns