Azzedine Alaia black laser cut boiled wool fringed tunic, fw 1993
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14028973241
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Men's Matsuda grey striped knitted cotton shirt sweater, ss 1995By Mitsuhiro MatsudaLocated in London, GB▪ Men's Matsuda grey striped shirt sweater ▪ 100% Cotton ▪ Deconstructed design ▪ Knitted sweater at top panel ▪ Button up shirt at bottom panel ▪ Size Large ▪ Spring-Summer 1995Category
1990s Japanese Sweaters
- Gianfranco Ferre black astrakhan fur bodysuit, fw 1999By Gianfranco FerréLocated in London, GB▪ Gianfranco Ferre black astrakhan fur bodysuit ▪ High neck with long fur detail ▪ Power-mesh bodysuit ▪ Astrakhan fur bodice ▪ Zip fastening ▪ IT 4...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- John Galliano purple and black herringbone mohair sweater and skirt set, fw 1999By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano purple mohair sweater and skirt set ▪ Black herringbone design with purple base ▪ Turn-over cuffs ▪ Large high-neck fold-over c...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Gucci by Tom Ford black knitted wool and fur sweater and skirt set, fw 2002By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GB▪ Gucci black knitted wool sweater and skirt set ▪ Designed by Tom Ford ▪ Heavyweight oversized chunky-knit sweater ▪ Matching pencil skirt with ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana black viscose cropped vest with colourful silk beads, ss 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana rib-knit cropped vest ▪ 68% Viscose, 32% Nylon ▪ Multicoloured silk bead adornments ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 1992Category
1990s Italian Sweater Vests
- Margiela grey wool jersey sweater with inverted darts, fw 1989By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Margiela grey wool jersey sweater ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Inverted darts and seams ▪ Scoop neckline ▪ FR 40 - UK 12 ▪ Fall-Winter 1989Category
1980s Italian Sweaters
- BALENCIAGA S/S 2006 Black Silver Beaded Cashmere Sleeveless Sweater TopBy Balenciaga, Nicolas GhesquièreLocated in Thiensville, WIBALENCIAGA S/S 2006 Black Silver Embellished Cashmere Sleeveless Sweater Top Brand / Manufacturer: Balenciaga Collection: S/S 2006 Designer: Nicolas Ghesquiere Style: Sleeveless sw...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sleeveless Shirts
- ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1995 “Highland Rape” Multicolor Pattern Sleeveless SweaterBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Thiensville, WIALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1995 “Highland Rape” Multicolor Pattern Sleeveless Sweater Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 1995 Designer:...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
- Valentino 2pc Vintage Long Sleeve Top & Cardigan Sweater in Blue & Green PlaidBy ValentinoLocated in Portland, ORWe absolutely love this sweater top and cardigan ensemble from Valentino Boutique.Entirely knit, even though the cardigan looks like a blazer or a jacket. The button front cardigan ...Category
1980s Italian Cardigans
- Vintage Gianni Versace Abstract Baroque Print Wool Pullover SweaterBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage 1980's or early 1990's Gianni Versace wool knit sweater has beautiful and bright colorful woven abstract baroque details in shades of orange, green, red and purple. The ...Category
1980s Italian Pullovers
- Sonia Rykiel Black Cotton Tee with Detailed Multi-Color EmbroideryBy Sonia RykielLocated in New York, NYSonia Rykiel whimsical black cotton tee is detailed with multi-color embroidery in front. The length of the front measures 21", back is 24 1/2", underarm circumference is 3...Category
1980s Greek T-Shirts
- Chic 1960s Large Size Black Sequin + Beaded 3/4 Sleeves Vintage 60s Sweater TopLocated in San Diego, CAChic early 1960s black sequin beaded 3/4 sleeves wool sweater top ! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins and beads throughout the entire sweater. Full metal zipper up the back wit...Category
1960s Hong Kong Pullovers
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 Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.