Azzedine Alaia S/S 1991 Vintage Bustier Color Block Bodycon Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1624122223992
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: Naples, FL
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Azzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Bodycon Velvet Knit Black DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Bodycon Velvet Knit Black Dress Size M Alaïa heavy knit velvet dress with open knit trim throughout, V-neck, long sleeves ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gucci S/S 2010 Unworn Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini DressBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci S/S 2010 Unworn Bodycon Lace Up Bandage Grey Mini Dress Size XSCategory
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Sheer Panels Mini Evening DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2016 Runway Embellished Cutout Sheer Panels Mini Evening Dress IT 40 Look 54 from the Spring 2016 Collection.Category
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace 1990's Vintage Embellished Sheer Panel Red Evening Dress GownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace 1990's Vintage Embellished Sheer Panel Red Evening Dress Gown Gianni Versace red evening dress featuring sheer front panel, embellishments, and front high slit. Pleas...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 2001 Halter Bodycon Knit Black Midi DressBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Naples, FLTom Ford for Gucci S/S 2001 Halter Bodycon Knit Black Midi Dress Size S Gucci bodycon knit black dress featuring keyhole at back and hook-and-eye closur...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace F/W 2004 Embellished Studded Plunging Keyhole Neckline Open Back DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace F/W 2004 Embellished Studded Halter Plunging Keyhole Neckline Open Back Dress IT 42 Versace silk black dress featuring silver square studs, h...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Multi Floral Chiffon GownBy Barbara TfankLocated in Los Angeles, CAEnchanting, delightful! From the Barbara Tfank Spring 2008 collection inspired by Anita Loos and “Screwball’ comedies, this delicate silk chiffon, portrait neckline gown comes in the...Category
Early 2000s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi DressBy Carole LittleLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into classic elegance with the Carole Little 90s Ivory Lace Maxi Dress. This white lace masterpiece features a flattering scoop neck, adding a touch of timeless femininity to it...Category
1990s Korean Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Moschino Silk Contoured Hoop-Skirt GownBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis gown will pull you in and intrigue you with all the curves and volume. This Moschino design is genius as the skirt has varying sizes of circular boning to fit to your own body's curves giving you a hyper-feminized silhouette. Featuring a full-length to add to the drama and a simple black color-way and tank-top style to let the bottom detail steal the show. The fabric is 100% silk. Make sure to pair this dress with dramatic earrings...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Gianni Versace metallic gold leather mini dress, fw 1994By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace metallic gold leather mini dress ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fall-Winter 1994 ▪ Croc-embossed ▪ Diagonal front zipper ▪ 2 front pockets ▪ IT 40 - FR 36 - UK...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet and gold foil printed dress, fw 1990By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood bronze stretch-velvet evening dress ▪ Gold foil neoclassical print inspired by Andre-Charles Boulle ▪ Concealed zipper at center-back ▪ Size Medium ▪ Fall-Winter...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns