Alaia Spring-Summer 1986 magenta acetate knit bodycon dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14023371073
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Christian Dior by John Galliano purple and gold knitted sweater dress, fw 1999By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GBChristian Dior by John Galliano purple knitted sweater dress with metallic gold effect and large turtle neck Fall-Winter 1999Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano pink suede and lace dress and jacket, fw 2000By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Christian Dior pink suede and lace slip dress and jacket set ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Calais lace inserts, skirt, and trim ▪ Spaghetti straps ▪ Silk lining ▪ Handkerchief he...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen pink python bias cut evening dress, ss 2008By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAlexander McQueen pink python bias cut evening dress with padded shoulders, cap sleeves and silk lining Spring-Summer 2008Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano snakeskin print mid length dress, ss 2000By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano snakeskin print mid length dress Spring-Summer 2000Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci by Tom Ford pink and gold printed lurex dress with head scarf, fw 2000By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GBGucci by Tom Ford pink and gold printed lurex shift dress with matching head scarf. Fall-Winter 2000Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci Spring-Summer 2000 beaded python print shift dressBy Tom FordLocated in London, GBTom Ford for Gucci Spring-Summer 2000 beaded python print shift dressCategory
1990s Italian Shift Cocktail Dresses
- Ungaro Beaded Embroidered Evening Dress, Size 36FRBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRUngaro-Emanuel Ungaro Couture - Paris Bolduc: 3194-5-94 Dress composed of three red and beige silk linings fully embroidered with red beads, woven threads and raffia in a foliage and...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- 1960s Bernetti Citrine Silk Opera Coat & Dress Ensemble w Extravagant BeadworkLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous Bernetti 1960s 2 piece evening ensemble: Citrine silk opera coat and column dress with extravagant hand-sewn beadwork and rhinestone embroi...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- F/W 2006 Look #55 VERSACE NUDE SEQUIN EMBELLISHED LONG DRESS GOWN 42 - 6By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXBRAND NEW VERSACE DRESS F/W 2006 Look #55 Finalee gown! This dreamy Versace creation is the perfect blend of romance and fashion-forward style. Size 42 or US 6 100% silk M...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Gowns
- Max Mara Pianoforte Dress and BoleroLocated in London, GBA pretty outfit by Max Mara, Pianoforte Line. In a peach/pink colour and silk / cotton mix the dress has a round neckline , back central zip and cap sleaves. Size UK 10 , measuremen...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Louis Féraud Haute Couture "Universal" Dress Spring/Summer show, 1991By Louis FeraudLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRLouis Féraud - Organized dress embroidered with mother of pearl buttons. No size indicated, it corresponds to a 34FR/36FR. Pretty Woman" collection, "Universal" modem, Haute Couture ...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- Animal printed cocktail dress with beaded details Blugirl by BlumarineBy Blumarine, BlugirlLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRAnimal printed cocktail dress with beaded details. Fabric composition: 100% rayon Invisible zip on the left side. SIZE 42 (It) 38 (Fr) but more likely fit SCategory
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
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.