Azzedine Alaia Spring 1994 Houpette Chenille Green Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hertfordshire, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2765222415412
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: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Dior Spring 2000 Purple Mesh Knit DressBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Dior by John Galliano Spring 2000 Mauve purple knit mesh midi dress Purple underdress attached Size UK 10 / US 6 Can fit a variety of sizes due to stretch Measurements (laid flat) - 32-36...Category
Early 2000s Day Dresses
- Versace Fall 1997 Runway Black Leather Mini DressBy Gianni Versace, VersaceLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Versace Fall 1997 - seen on the runway Black leather mini dress Spaghetti straps Very soft leather Zip up back Size IT 38 / UK 6 / US 2, can fit up to approx 1 size larger ...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Versace F/W 1998 Runway Black Leather Zip Detail Tank TopBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Versace Fall 1998 - seen on the runway Black leather tank top Zipper detail from front to back and along hemline Functional zip - can be worn open or closed Zip up back ...Category
1990s Shirts
- Vivienne Westwood Fall 1992 Runway Sample Black Metallic Gold DressBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Vivienne Westwood Fall 1992 “Always on Camera” collection Runway piece - this is the exact dress that was worn by model Anna Bayle on the Fall 1992 runway Black full length dress with gold glitter pattern all over Stretch fabric Long sleeve Short zip up back Made in England Measurements (Stretch fabric) - 30-34” chest...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia Spring 1992 Off Shoulder Striped BodysuitBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Azzedine Alaïa Spring 1992 - Same pattern seen on the runway, on Christy Turlington and on Fran Fine in The Nanny Beige & white striped off shoulder knit bodysuit Off sho...Category
1990s Lingerie
- Helmut Lang Fall 1990 Runway Feather Trim DressBy Helmut LangLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Helmut Lang Fall 1990 - seen on the runway Tan dress with feather trim skirt Semi sheer glitter lurex material Stretch material Size “9AR” - equivalent to approx size smal...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Salvatore Ferragamo Peach Cotton Knit Short Sleeve Shift Dress - MediumBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLSalvatore Ferragamo Peach Cotton Knit Short Sleeve Shift Dress - Medium. This lovely dress is in excellent condition. It features a feminine peach cotton knit material, two pockets...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shift Dresses
- Missoni Vintage Earthtones Chevron Knitted Tunic-Style Dress - S - Circa 70'sBy MissoniLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMissoni Vintage Earthtones Chevron Knitted Tunic-Style Dress - S - Circa 70's. This adorable dress is in excellent vintage condition with only very slight pulls near the bottom. It ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Chanel Black Dress with Silk Chiffon Top and Tweed Skirt - 38By ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Chanel dress features a black silk chiffon sleeveless top and a black tweed skirt. The skirt has pockets and has a Chanel logo detail on it. This dress is in excellent condition...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Dries Van Noten Taupe Silk Slip Dress - 42By Dries van NotenLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Dries Van Noten slip dress is taupe silk. It has spaghetti straps and a v-neck. This dress is in excellent condition. Measurements Bust: 34" Waist: 38" Hips: 43" Length (...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Day Dresses
- Alaia Camel Silk Knit Sleeveless Flare Dress - 40By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLAlaia Camel Silk Knit Sleeveless Flare Dress - 40. This sleeveless scoop neck silk knit blend dress is a pretty camel color. The top bodice is mesh, and the rest of the dress has a t...Category
2010s French Day Dresses
- Oscar de la Renta Charcoal Wool Sleeveless Shift Dress - LBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta wool shift dress is a charcoal color. It is sleeveless and has a cutout in the front. This dress is in excellent condition. Measurements Bust: 39" Waist: 36" ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Day Dresses