Azzedine Alaia leopard wool dress, cardigan, skirt and leggings set, fw 1991
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140213810352
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.
- Comme des Garçons lurex voile lace wrap dress and skirt set, fw 1999By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GB▪ Comme des Garçons dress and skirt set ▪ Lurex voile lace in brown, silver and cream ▪ Mid-length wrap dress ▪ Large turn-over collar ▪ Two large safety pin...Category
1990s Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set, ss 2002By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GB▪ Issey Miyake multicoloured mesh and lycra skirt and top set ▪ Vest with ruched back and bust panels ▪ Mid-length skirt with ruched seams and handkerchief hemline ▪ JP 3 / EU + US M...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier metallic gold sequin t-shirt and leggings set, ss 1991By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier evening t-shirt and leggings set ▪ Gold metallic sequins printed with floral motifs ▪ Knitted band trim in red, orange and blue ▪ Fitted to the body ▪ IT 42 - F...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood x Malcolm McLaren x Keith Haring 'Witches' skirt suit, fw 1983By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren in collaboration with Keith Haring ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from knit jersey in neon pink and dark grey ▪ ...Category
1980s English Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Paul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble, c. 1960By Paul DaunayLocated in London, GBPaul Daunay gold lamé jacquard couture evening ensemble comprising: long-line waistcoat lined with purple silk and high rise a-line skirt with inverted pleats and two side pockets. ...Category
1960s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia bronze acetate knit bandage skirt and bodysuit set, ss 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Important Azzedine Alaia acetate-knit skirt and bodysuit set ▪ Fitted bodysuit with criss-cross straps ▪ Bandage knee-length skirt ▪ Open side with la...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Whims of California Two Piece Pants & Maxi Vest Dress, 1960'sLocated in Atlanta, GAThis two piece pants and maxi vest by Whims of California has all the bells and whistles for chic 1960's party attire. The 100% cotton construction has the appearance of painted or ...Category
1960s American Trouser Pant Suits
- A French Blouse and Pleated Skirt By Cacharel (Attributed to) Circa 1980By CacharelLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1980 France Pleated skirt and blouse in brown polyester with black plaid, pink and white stripes and iridescent brown cubes dating from th...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- A Jean-Louis Scherrer Jacket and Pants Set for Fashion Show Winter 2001-2002By Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Toulon, FRFall Winter Collection 2001-2002 France Jacket and pants set for Haute Couture Fashion Show - Look n ° 13 by Jean-Louis Scherrer - Stéphane Rolland, Fall Winter Collection 2001-2002. Astonishing marriage of red and black sequin embroidery and silk veil...Category
Early 2000s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Dynasty 1960s For Lord & Taylor Light Pink Large Size 3 Piece Vintage Dress SetBy DynastyLocated in San Diego, CAUtterly chic vintage 60s DYNASTY 3 piece light pink silk dress ensemble! The most beautiful light pink silk with intricate embrodiery in blues, greens, pin...Category
1960s Hong Kong Skirt Suits
- Neil Bieff Arturo Herrera Silk Skirt and Top Set 1970sBy Neil BieffLocated in Water Mill, NYA gorgeous 2 piece tan silk top and skirt set from designer Neil Bieff. It is adorned with an abstract pattern of sequins and glass beads created by world renowned artist Arturo Her...Category
1970s Indian Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace Silk Dress and Jacket 1990sBy Istante by Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful yellow silk dress and jacket set from Gianni Versace's Istante collection. The sleeveless scoop neck semi fitted dress is simply cut ...Category
1990s Italian Day 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.