Alaia Vionnet-Inspired Grecian Goddess Dress Gown. New
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1966024631
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gucci by Tom Ford High Style One Arm Bandit Python Print Dress New Cond!By GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CATom Ford for Gucci showcased his Spring 2000 collection inspired by Farrah Fawcett, Blondie and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was all about jersey and python prints in the sexist of styles tha...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Evening Dresses
- Antonio Berardi "Pretty in Pink" Asymmetric Gown w/Rose Gold Hardware NWTBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntonio Berardi pale pink bias cut asymmetric gown with rose gold enhancement hardware. Drawstrings are attached as pulleys to cinch parts of the dress as needed and to allow flashe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- NWT Fausto Puglisi Dramatic Runway Asymmetric Black & White Dress GownBy FAUSTO PUGLISILocated in Los Angeles, CAFabulous black and off white asymmetric runway gown by Fausto Puglisi. Eye catching presence showcases a fabulous feast for the eyes. Fashioned of black crepe and ecru net with ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Lela Rose Summer Elegance Rosette Neckline Open Back Dress GownBy Lela RoseLocated in Los Angeles, CALela Rose ethereal and feminine signature style has defined her as the go-to designer for very special and romantic evening wear creations. Many celebrities are seen wearing her fashions. See photo of the gown on the runway. From Bergdorf Goodman, halter style gown...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Vionnet of Paris Exquisite Goddess Beaded Silk Gown Dress NWTBy VionnetLocated in Los Angeles, CAElegant Vionnet two tone green and white silk Grecian Goddess gown. Bodice created with center asymmetric opening. Delicately pleated at shoulder extending into soft fold skirt. ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Christian Dior Galliano "J'Adore" 2004 Tattoo Leggings Bodysuit Flapper DressBy John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CARare Christian Dior S/S 2004 20's inspired silk chiffon flapper dress by John Galliano. Includes tattoo body suit with matching footless leggings. Identical to the runway photo. D...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- 1990S ALBERTA FERRETTI Cream Bias Cut Silk Charmeuse & Tulle Lace Empire Waist 1By Alberta FerrettiLocated in New York, NY1990S ALBERTA FERRETTI Cream Bias Cut Silk Charmeuse & Tulle Lace Empire Waist Bridal Gown With Embroidered SleevesCategory
1990s Italian Wedding Dresses
- 1990S HELMUT LANG Off White Silk Organza Dress Overlaid With Zipper & PailetteBy Helmut LangLocated in New York, NY1990S HELMUT LANG Off White Silk Organza Dress Overlaid With Zipper & Pailette LaceCategory
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Sleeveless silk Paisley printed evening dress Lanvin by Alber Elbaz SS 2014By Alber Elbaz, Lanvin ParisLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRSleeveless silk Paisley printed evening dress. Draped on the waist on the front. Split on the left side = 65 cm Size 38 (Fr) MCategory
2010s French Evening Dresses
- Mila Schon 60s vintage jewelry paillettes mini DressLocated in Carnate, ITMila Schon jewelry dress. Vintage piece. 60s. In silk. Lined. Embroidered with wonderful sequins and silver beads. Lurex details. Size and composition label missing. Wears an interna...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Color Block Striped Rainbow Vintage Body Tattoo Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRColor block striped dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! Very good conditon! SIZE: small, but it fits from Small to medium. Stretchy fabric! Model`s size in photos: XS. Length: 130 cm / 5...Category
1990s Italian Ball Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Tropical Butterfly Bella Hadid Flamingo Vintage Maxi DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRWonderful tropical dress by Jean Paul Gaultier! Super vintage piece from the 90s! Bella Hadid wears the same pattern, check the photos! Flamingos, butterflies, Italian baroque motif...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses