Azzedine Alaia Paris, Dove Grey Drop Waist Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 44 (EU)Bust: 36 in (91.44 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 37 in (93.98 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU442314112532
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Vintage Muriel Martin For Harvey Nichols Ball GownLocated in London, GBA pretty vintage sage green silk ball gown /evening gown by Muriel Martin. The gown has a boat neckline at the front, and a square back neckline. There...Category
1960s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Emporio Armani Floral Silk DressBy EMPORIO ARMANI EA7Located in London, GBA great dress for Summer by Emporio Armani . In a multitude of colours , the dress has a frill neck line, and is fully lined with a central back zip. Size EU Italian 40 Measurements:...Category
2010s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1950s Zenith Original Cocktail DressBy ZenithLocated in London, GBA pretty dove grey vintage cocktail dress by Zenith Original. The dress has a scoop necklline, front and back and as a built in petticoat with frill at...Category
1950s British Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Charles and Patricia Lester Couture Lilac Devorre Velvet Tunic /DressBy Charles and Patricia LesterLocated in London, GBA pretty vintage lilac tunic dress by Charles and Patricia Lester Couture. The dress/tunic is meant to be worn loose, and can fit up to bust 50''. Length 36 ''Category
1980s Welsh Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1970s Berketex Floral Gown with BoleroLocated in London, GBStunning for Summer. This floral gown by British firm Berketx is a real head turner. In a vivid mix of colours , greens, lilac, purple and burgundy, it hangs beautifuly. The dress i...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
- Vintage Long Blue Kimono with Rose DetailLocated in London, GBA vintage kimono from Kyoto dating from the 1980s. It has flowers on a blue background and is lined in cotton. Measurements: Length 63'' bust up to 46''Category
1980s Japanese Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Linda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10Located in West Palm Beach, FLLinda Cunningham Taupe Silk Gown w/ Multi Floral Lace & 3 Tier Ruffle Bust - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a taupe silk material, three tier ruffle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Malcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown, Circa 1970sBy Malcolm StarrLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMalcolm Starr Heavily Beaded Green Silk Organza Gown - 8- Circa 70's This Elinor Simmons for Malcolm Starr creation is fabulous. This gorgeous green ...Category
1970s American Empire Waist Dresses
- 1960s Haute Couture International Heavily Beaded Gown Size MediumLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Haute Couture International 1960s gown is an absolute stunner featuring immaculate beading throughout in a silver hue. There is a cent...Category
20th Century Hong Kong Evening Gowns
- Draped and printed long evening dress Roberto CavalliBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRDraped and printed long evening dress. Brooch in gold metal and rhinestone on the left side of the bustier. Adjustable shoulder strap. Padded bra. E...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- White cocktail dress with tulle panel Roland Mouret for Bergdorf GoodmanBy Roland MouretLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWhite cocktail dress with tulle panel. Zip in the middle back. Small buckle to hold the back straps. Fabric composition: 50% rayon, 47% acetate, 3% elastane. 100% silk lining. SIZE ...Category
Early 2000s British Cocktail Dresses
- Wrap cocktail printed dress with branded safety pin embellishment Versus VersaceBy VersusLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWrap cocktail printed dress with branded safety pin embellishment. Zip in the middle back and hook&eye. SIZE 38(M)Category
Early 2000s Bulgarian Cocktail Dresses