Vintage Alaia Pink Pantsuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU583317887132
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana Gold and Red Leopard Motif Jacquard Jacket and Skirt SetBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CADolce & Gabbana Gold and Red Leopard Motif Jacquard Jacket and Skirt Set Red/Black/Gold Set includes half-sleeve jacket and skirt Jacket features a puffed sleeve, contrasting tulle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Twin Sets
- Thom Browne Navy Wool Pinstriped Jacket and Pants SuitBy Thom BrowneLocated in Los Angeles, CAThom Browne Navy Wool Pinstriped Jacket and Pants Suit Includes suit jacket and pants Navy/White Pinstriped Jacket features contrasting white grosgrain trim, a notched collar, two f...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Padded Lapel Tuxedo (1990s)By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAPadded Black Lapel Tuxedo by Jean Paul Gaultier Femme Circa 1990s Made in Italy Black Two piece tuxedo Dual front button closure Dual side pockets Top closed pocket detail Padded clo...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Emanuel Ungaro Printed Two-Piece SetBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Los Angeles, CAPrinted Two-Piece Set by Emanuel Ungaro Made in Italy Tank top and pants set Brown wood grain print throughout both pieces Semi-sheer Zipper and...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Jean Paul Gaultier 1980s Equator Fringed Three-Piece SetBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAJean Paul Gaultier 1980s Equator Red and Green Fringed Three-Piece Knit Top, Skirt, and Leggings Set Vintage; circa late 1980s Fuzzi knitwear collection manufactured by Equator Set ...Category
1980s Italian Twin Sets
- Paco Rabanne Floral and Beaded Sequin Chainmaille 3-Piece SetBy Paco RabanneLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaco Rabanne Floral and Beaded Sequin Chainmaille 3-Piece Set Vintage; circa 1980s 3-piece set Includes strapless top, skirt, and chainmaille jacket Skirt features a large scale re...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana pink floral silk jacket and skirt ensemble, c. 1990sBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana hot pink silk ensemble with vibrant floral print throughout. Knee length jacket with leopard silk lining. Above the knee length pencil skirt. c. 1990sCategory
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Navy blue linen skirt-suit Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Circa 1980'sBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRNavy blue linen skirt-suit . Main fabric: 100% linen. Lining: 55% acetate 45% rayon SIZE 40 (Fr) 10 (Us)Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Ocher wool chevron skirt- suit Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FROcher wool chevron skirt suit.Horn buttons. Silk lining. Shoulder pads. Wrap-skirt SIZE 40Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Black and white mini check pattern skirt-suit Yves Saint Laurent VariationBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack and white mini check pattern skirt-suit. No fabric composition tag but main fabric is wool and lining rayon or acetate. Shoulder pad. Wrap skirt. ONE TINY STAIN IN THE FRONT O...Category
1980s Unknown Skirt Suits
- Red and grey skirt-suit officer's style Thierry Mugler Circa 1980'sBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRRed and grey skirt-suit officer's style. Snap in the middle front + on the bust's pockets + snap on the cuffs. Main fabric composition: 78% rayon, 22% linen. No lining composition ...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- Burgundy skirt-suit in wool knit and leather MUGLER Circa 1990'sBy Mugler, Thierry MuglerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBurgundy skirt-suit in wool knit and leather. Acetate or rayon lining. ( not in the back of the jacket) 1 Snap covered with leather in the middle front. Cut-work on the hips on the...Category
1990s Unknown Skirt Suits
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.
The Personal Luxury Goods Market amid COVID-19
1stDibs dealers discuss the challenges of this unprecedented time, and the signs of hope.