Azzedine Alaia Fall 1989 Vintage Black Lamb Suede Cropped Runway Jacket
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: See Description (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. a small rub spot to suede - see photo.
- Seller Location:Portland, OR
- Reference Number:
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: Beaverton, OR
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Saint Laurent Black Velvet & Satin Tuxedo Jacket With Tails & Flyaway PanelsBy Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a fabulous contemporary Saint Laurent black velvet and satin tuxedo style cutaway jacket. This jacket features tails and flyaway satin peaked lapels, which form the main detail of the front. This open front jacket has long sleeves and a back slit. This stunning jacket would dazzle at a holiday party! We would love to see it with cream silk pants...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Tuxedo Jackets
- Vintage Louis Feraud Black Bomber Jacket w Quilted Satin Sleeves & Pants OutfitBy Louis FeraudLocated in Portland, ORThis Louis Feraud 1980's 2 piece suit is in in black wool with cotton velvet trim. The set includes an easy to wear bomber jacket and slim pants. Louis Fer...Category
1980s European Trouser Pant Suits
- 2000s Versace Textured Black & White Boucle Zip Front JacketBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in Portland, ORThis is a beautiful Versace jacket designed by Donatella Versace in the early 2000s. It is a fun, textured black and white boucle wool, fully lined in black embroidered logo lining. The texture is incredible, and it is soft to the touch. It zips up the front with a small pointed collar. It has two zipper pockets in front as well as zippers on the sleeves, which give it a sporty, youthful look. Each zipper is marked Versace. Made in Italy and labeled Gianni Versace Couture with the metal collar Versace tag...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- 1992 Emanuel Ungaro Parallele Red Blue & Green Floral Linen Blazer JacketBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Portland, ORThis vintage abstract floral print jacket was designed by Emanuel Ungaro for the Spring/Summer 1992 collection. Emanuel Ungaro designed for both Balenciaga and Courreges before start...Category
1990s European Blazers
- Louis Feraud 2 Piece Tan Jacket & Wrap Skirt SuitBy Louis FeraudLocated in Portland, ORLouis Feraud was one of those designers who had an incredible eye for detail and his skirt suits are just as modern today as they were when they were made decades ago! Once a ski instructor in the Alps , Louis Feraud became famous when he sold a white sundress to Brigitte Bardot out of his Cannes storefront in the 1950's. He went on to become a well respected designer of luxury fashion. We wish that photos could show how great this Louis Feraud 1980's 2 piece outfit is in person! This neutral toned skirt suit has an oversized jacket with a mandarin collar and knife pleats at the shoulders that extend to the hem. The jacket is fully lined in a monogrammed viscose. The faux wrap style skirt is also fully lined in beige rayon (but without the monogram). There are buttons for closure at the waist and side slit pockets that hidden along the seam. Labeled Louis Feraud Made in W Germany...Category
1980s European Skirt Suits
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent 1970s White Cotton Blend Quilted Smock Style JacketBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Portland, ORThis is a rare 1970's Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche ivory quilted textured collared jacket. This jacket is in Yves Saint Laurent's signature smock style (without the usual patch poc...Category
1970s French Jackets
- Bill Blass Ivory Lace Brocade Jacket Size 10 VintageBy Bill BlassLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBill Blass Ivory Lace Brocade Jacket - Size 10 Circa 90's. This gorgeous jacket is in excellent vintage condition. Measurements are: Bust 36" - 38" Wai...Category
1990s American Jackets
- Burberry London Tan Brown Youth Children's Zip Up Collared Light Sweater JacketBy BurberryLocated in Downey, CABurberry London Tan Brown Youth Children's Zip Up Collared Light Sweater Jacket With this Burberry Tan Plaid Collared Zip Sweater, you'll stay fabulous and warm these upcoming summe...Category
2010s Jackets
- Hermes Dark Blue Signature Leather Reversible Bomber With Knit Trim 48 JacketBy HermèsLocated in Downey, CAHermes Dark Blue Signature Leather Reversible Bomber With Knit Trim 48 Jacket Worlds famous extremely rare Hermes men's reversible jacket brand new with tags a perfect gift for any ...Category
2010s French Jackets
- Dsquared2 Dark Blue Classic DQ2 Men's Button Down IT/FR JacketBy Dsquared2Located in Downey, CADsquared2 Dark Blue Classic DQ2 Men's Button Down IT/FR Jacket This blue cotton blend denim jacket from DSQUARED2 features a classic collar, a front button fastening, two chest pock...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- Saint Laurent Hedi Slimane FW15 Lambskin Biker LS1 Jacket LargeBy Saint LaurentLocated in Downey, CASaint Laurent Hedi Slimane FW15 Lambskin Biker LS1 Jacket Large No designer nails that rock ‘n’ roll vibe like Saint Laurent. Worked with all the classic details...Category
2010s Jackets
- Black Signature Velvet Zipper Blouson Jacket Luxury Men's 50 BlazerLocated in Downey, CABlack Signature Velvet Zipper Blouson Jacket Luxury Men's 50 Blazer One of a kind Givenchy zip up side arm jacket worn by several models during Riccardo Tisci's infamous Fall/Winter...Category
2010s Blazers