1990's Azzedine Alaia Black Plunging Chestless Suspender Midi Dress
View Similar Items
1990's Azzedine Alaia Black Plunging Chestless Suspender Midi Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: S (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:No flaws!
- Seller Location:Yukon, OK
- Reference Number:Seller: 21241stDibs: LU40628410232
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.
- S/S 2004 Christian Dior John Galliano Black 20's Style Drop Waist Silk DressBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: S/S 2004 Christian Dior by John Galliano CONDITION: Good- no holes or stains FABRIC: Silk COUNTRY: France SIZE: F-38 MEASUR...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dresses
- Vintage S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Red Velvet Chain Strap Backless DressBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: S/S 1997 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway- second photo is Kate Moss wearing the dress in Harpers Bazaar CONDITION: Good- The origi...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Roberto Cavalli Black & Red Silk Print Maxi Dress & Kimono JacketBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: S/S 2003 Roberto Cavalli CONDITION: Dress is excellent/flawless- kimono is good with only minor imperfections- see last ph...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- F/W 2000 Roberto Cavalli Sheer Silk Leopard High Slit Ruffle Gown DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: F/W 2000 Roberto Cavalli CONDITION: Good- no flaws FABRIC: Silk COUNTRY: Italy SIZE: 42 MEASUREMENTS; provided as a courtes...Category
1990s Italian Maxi Dresses
- F/W 2002 Gucci Tom Ford Runway Plunging Ribbon Rope Mini Dress 38By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway CONDITION: Excellent FABRIC: Silk COUNTRY MADE: Italy SIZE: 38 MEASUREMENTS; provided as...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 2003 Christian Dior John Galliano Sheer Blue Silk Beaded Mermaid Maxi DressBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Yukon, OK**THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING WITH MES DEUX FILLES** DESIGNER: S/S 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano CONDITION: Good- there are minor imperfections, there is a tiny rub in the silk at...Category
Early 2000s French Maxi Dresses
- Jackie Rogers Classic Black Satin Bias Cut DressBy Jackie RogersLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJackie Rogers classic silky black satin bias cut dress from the 1990s. The perfect black dress to dress up with jewelry and or a belt. The dress slips o...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
- 80s Kevan Hall Couture Black Sequin 1980s Off Shoulder Vintage Cocktail DressLocated in San Diego, CALate 1980s KEVAN HALL COUTURE black off-the-shoulder sequin dress ! Features a nude chiffon underlay with a lace nad sequin bodice. Flowy silk chiffon skirt. Boned bodice. Hidden zip...Category
15th Century and Earlier Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail DreBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYTagged a European 36 1980S THIERRY MUGLER Black Rayon Blend Crepe Asymmetrically Draped Cocktail Dress With Sheer Lace Back & SleevesCategory
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Emanuel Ungaro Size 10 Black Rayon Vintage 90s Bell Sleeve Wrap DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in San Diego, CAChic late 90s EMANUEL UNGARO black rayon blend size 10 bell sleeve wrap dress ! Tailored bodice with a flirty skirt. Buttons up the front. Ruffle detail at center front neck, down th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- 1990s Calvin Klein Collection Inside Out Black Jersey Vintage 90s Midi DressBy Calvin Klein CollectionLocated in San Diego, CASuch an amazing take on the little black dress ! CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION black jersey 'Inside Out' short sleeve midi dress ! Features unfinished seams that look like they are inside out. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. The perfect black dress...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Marc Jacobs Sz 8 Black Purple Peacock Feather Print Cut Out Back Racerback DressBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Diego, CAUtterly chic Marc Jacobs Collection (Main/High Line) dress! Features purple peacock feathers printed throughout. Soft black cotton. Racerback that wraps around the waist, with hook-a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
$410 Sale Price25% Off