Azzedine Alaïa Wool Turtleneck Bodysuit
View Similar Items
Azzedine Alaïa Wool Turtleneck Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 10 (US)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73637669892
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.
- Ulysse Nardin Diver Black Sea 46MM Steel And Rubber WatchBy Ulysse NardinLocated in London, GBThis ‘Diver Black Sea' 46mm timepiece by Ulysse Nardin has been crafted at the brand's Swiss atelier from steel with an intricate automatic movement and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Bvlgari Octo Verlcissimo 42MM Stainless Steel And Alligator WatchBy BvlgariLocated in London, GBThis ‘Octo Verlcissimo' 42mm timepiece by Bvlgari has been crafted at the brand's Swiss atelier from stainless steel with an intricate automatic movement...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Fendi 1974 Double F Logo Print Shearling Shoulder BagBy FendiLocated in London, GBThis stunning '1974 Double F' shoulder bag by Fendi bag has been made in Italy from plush shearling fur and printed with the iconic logo, the bag has two-sides, one light-pink and th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
- Jérôme Dreyfuss Florent Leopard Print Calf Hair And Leather BackpackLocated in London, GBThis ‘Florent’ backpack by Jérôme Dreyfuss is perfect for those day-to-day looks, composed with supple dark-grey and black leopard-print calf hair and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Backpacks
- Edie Parker Flavia Glittered Acrylic Box ClutchBy Edie ParkerLocated in London, GBThis ‘Flavia’ box clutch by Edie Parker has been and-poured and made in the USA, which is decorated with gold confetti-effect lettering, the mirrored interior is ideal for makeup touch-ups - carry it day or night against a sleek dress...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
- Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 50 Monogram Glaze Canvas Travel BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBThis 2018 ‘Keepall Bandoulière 50’ travel bag by Louis Vuitton is inspired by a classic duffle bag re-imagined, crafted from tonal-brown Monogram glaze canvas and lined in black canv...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- 1930S Black Rayon Slip Dress Lining For Lace Or Sheer Gown XLLocated in New York, NY1930S Black Rayon Slip Dress Lining For Lace Or Sheer Gown XLCategory
1930s Slips
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Size 8 Plunging Halter One Piece 80s Bodysuit SwimsuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage early 80s YVES SAINT LAURENT YSL for Saks 5th Avenue plunging halter one piece bodysuit or swimsuit ! Swimsuit is a black lycra with color block stripes of purple, neon ...Category
1980s French Swimwear
- Gianfranco Ferre 1990s Embellished BodysuitBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdd this bodysuit to your collection! Circa 1990s, this black bodysuit features an overlapping G and F logo in black beads and rhinestones, thick spaghetti straps and mesh bottoms wi...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- 1900S Hand Embroidered Silk Antique Edwardian Peacock KimonoRobeLocated in New York, NY1900S Hand Embroidered Silk Antique Edwardian Peacock Kimono RobeCategory
Early 1900s American Jackets
- Alberta Ferretti black see through swarovski and beads bodyBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Capri, ITAlberta Ferretti black see through swarovski and beads body wear totally made in italy in size 44 unwornCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shirts
$435 Sale Price20% Off - 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Size 14 Black / Gold One Piece Halter Swimsuit BodysuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage early 80s YVES SAINT LAURENT black and gold convertible halter strap one piece swimsuit or bodysuit ! Features a black body with black and gold speckled mesh overlay at ...Category
1980s French Swimwear
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.
This Golden Saint Laurent Handbag Feels Like a Disco-Era Throwback (in the Best Way Possible)
If you're looking for an accessory that brings the party, this is it.