Azzedine Alaia Vintage Lilac Fitted Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: M (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Naples, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU162417039692
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 S/S 1988 Vintage Plunging Semi-Sheer Midi DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia Vintage Plunging Semi-Sheer Midi Dress Size XS Vintage Alaia sleeveless midi dress with open knit trim throughout, plunging neckline a...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace S/S 2004 Plunging Neckline Buckled Backless Midi DressBy VersaceLocated in Naples, FLVersace S/S 2004 Plunging Neckline Buckled Backless Midi Dress IT 38Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 Vintage “Portraits” Mesh Maxi Dress KimonoBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil S/S 2002 Vintage “Portraits” Mesh Maxi Dress Kimono Size SCategory
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli Unworn S/S 2016 Embellished Sheer Lace Mesh Mini DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli Unworn S/S 2016 Embellished Sheer Lace Mesh Mini Dress IT 40 Condition: New with Tags FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @OPULENTADDICTCategory
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli F/W 2005 Chinoiserie Ming Porcelain Corset Studded Mini DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Naples, FLRoberto Cavalli F/W 2005 Chinoiserie Ming Porcelain Corset Studded Ruched Mini Dress IT 44Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace F/W 1996 Runway Vintage Embellished Sheer Evening Dress GownBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace F/W 1996 Runway Vintage Embellished Sheer Evening Dress Gown IT 38 Gianni Versace couture evening dress featuring sheer top, embell...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Emilio Pucci Purple Silk Long Sleeve Gown with Open Back Size Medium LargeBy Emilio PucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Emilio Pucci gown is composed of a radiant soft purple silk. The classic long sleeve style is modernized with an exquisite open back. There is a side zipper closure and center b...Category
20th Century Italian Evening Gowns
- Vintage Donald Campbell Silk Spot DressLocated in London, GBA vintage cocktail dress by Donald Campbell. The dress is in a pretty lilac/blue silk, with spot detail , small spots on the top and large spots on the skirt. The dress is fully lin...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- DOLCE & GABBANA purple silk RUCHED SATIN Sleeveless Cocktail Dress 44 LBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CHDolce & Gabbana sleeveless satin ruched dress in orchid purple silk (96%) and elastane (4%) with a round neck. Closes on the back with a zipper. Lined in black silk (90%) and polyest...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- STEPHEN YEARIK Royal Blue Silk Beaded Skirt Ensemble Size 4-6By Stephen YearickLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Stephen Yearik skirt ensemble is composed of a beaded silk in a vibrant blue hue. The top has a draped design and closure at the shoulder. The skirt is a classic pencil silhouet...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent S/S 2012 Stefano Pilati Purple Silk Taffeta Mini Dress or TopBy Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CASexy YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL by Stefano Pilati purple and black silk taffeta micro mini strapless dress or top ! Features a boned tailored bodice with flirty fortuny pleated trapeze s...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Fabrice Beaded Royal EnsembleBy FabriceLocated in Alford, MA1980s royal blue coat and dress with charcoal beading in geometric patterns and hearts. The open coat reveals a V-neck, 3/4 sleeve dress underneath...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns