Rare Azzedine Alaia-Caron Cherry denim skirt suit with lace back skirt 1980s
View Similar Items
Rare Azzedine Alaia-Caron Cherry denim skirt suit with lace back skirt 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: XS-S (US)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2841375713
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.
- Emilio Pucci Vintage Printed Silk Chiffon and Velvet Trouser set 1970sBy Emilio PucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEmilio Pucci vintage printed silk chiffon and velvet pant set from the 1970s. This two piece set features a long sleeve silk chiffon blouse in bla...Category
1970s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Maggy Rouff Couture Pin Stripe Skirt Suit Early 1950sBy Maggy RouffLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Maggy Rouff Couture pin stripe wool skirt suit in military blue and grey, from the early 1950s. Single breasted jacket closes with a single button at the waist, notched lapel...Category
1950s French Skirt Suits
- Adolfo Silk 3 pc. Set Print Shirt Pleated Maxi Skirt & Applique Sweater 1970sBy Adolfo, Adolfo at Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAdolfo silk print shirt, pleated maxi skirt & applique sweater set from the 1970s. Printed silk in a pale yellow & grey modernist print, the set consists o...Category
1970s American Skirt Suits
- Gucci Tom Ford Grey Faille Pant Set with TagsBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSleek Gucci Tom Ford grey faille pant set new with original tags. Single breasted jacket with peaked lapels, front hip pockets, fitted through the waist and flares over the hips, bac...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Guy Laroche Silk Evening Pajama set in Cream and Black Dots Pink Trim 1990sBy Guy LarocheLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGuy Laroche Silk Evening Pajama set in Cream and Black Dots with Pink Trim from the 1990s. This amazing set is perfect for anyone who likes the chic and exotic, perfect for at home o...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Christian Dior Boutique numbered black and silver lace skirt setBy Christian Dior, John GallianoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChristian Dior Boutique numbered black & silver lace skirt set with coordinating lace blouse. The fitted lace jacket has a nipped wais...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirt Suits
- Vivienne Westwood red checked tweed and black velvet skirt suit, fw 1991By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood red checked tweed skirt suit ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Large orb etched buttons ▪ Large turn-over cuffs ▪ Black cotton velvet 'kick-out' skirt with tulle petticoat ▪ FR 38...Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Rare Late 90s Tom Ford for Gucci Size 42 / 8 / 10 Black Silk Jumpsuit RacerbackBy Gucci, Tom FordLocated in San Diego, CASuper rare vintage 1990s brand new with tags FW 1997 Gucci, by Tom Ford black silk jumpsuit! So much style to this amazing piece, that has never been worn! Chic style, with a slouchy...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- Tom Ford for Gucci S/S 1993 Runway Vintage Zipper JumpsuitBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Naples, FLTom Ford for Gucci S/S 1993 Runway Vintage Zipper Jumpsuit IT 38 Excellent Condition! Like New!Category
1990s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace Couture S/S 2000 Runway Embellished Sheer Top & Pants 2 Piece SetBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace Couture S/S 2000 Runway Embellished Sheer Black Top and Pants 2 Piece Set Gianni Versace sheer mock neck top featuring crystal embellishments on neck and waist and b...Category
Early 2000s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.1996 Black Linen Stripe Detail Blazer Trouser Pant Suit SetBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN c.1996 Black Linen Stripe Detail Blazer Trouser Pant Suit Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 1996 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Tailored blaze...Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
$1,647 Sale Price50% Off - ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” 2 pc. Removable Collar Blazer Skirt Suit SetBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” 2 pc. Removable Collar Blazer Skirt Suit Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 1998 “Joan” Designer: Alexander McQueen Style...Category
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
$1,947 Sale Price50% Off