Alaïa Black Leather Ruffle Platform Boots Size IT 39.5
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 6.5 (UK)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- 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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Pre-Loved Prada Women's Black Leather Flatform Lace Up Derby ShoesBy PradaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to shoes is evident. Minimal creasing to the vamp and wear to the wicker material on this used Prada designer resale item. This item includes the original dust bags. Details Black Leather Lace up Flatform Wicker flatform accent Almond toe Composition Leather Size & Fit Heel height: 5cm/2in Size: EU 40. 5 All of CSD’s luxury consignment used designer shoes are previously owned unless stated otherwise, and therefore may have signs of wear and imperfections. By purchasing this luxury consignment product you are helping to progress the momentous CSD designer resale revolution! Pre-Loved Prada Women's Black Leather Flatform Lace Up Derby ShoesCategory
21st Century and Contemporary British Shoes
- Bottega Veneta Women's Burgundy Butterfly Detail Sock TrainersBy Bottega VenetaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Never Worn. No visible wear to boots is evident on this used Bottega Veneta designer resale item. This item comes with original shoebox and dust bag. Details Burgundy ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Shoes
- Anya Hindmarch Women's Canvas Strappy Wedge EspadrillesBy Anya HindmarchLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Good. Minimal wear to sandal is evident. Wear to canvas and interior leather on the underside of the toe strap on this used Anya Hindmarch designer resale item. Detail...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Heels
- Alaïa Women's Black & Grey Contrast Platform Ankle BootsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to boots is evident. Minimal wear to the suede exteriorand outsole on this used Alaïa designer resale item. Details Black and grey Suede Ankle...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Boots
- Pre-Loved Balenciaga Women's Black Lace-Up HeelsBy BalenciagaLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Good. Some wear to shoes is evident. Signs of general wear to outer suede on this used Balenciaga designer resale item. Details Colour - black Material - suede Style - a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Heels
- Tamara Mellon Women's Knot Leather Heeled SandalsLocated in London, GBCONDITION is Never worn, with tag. No wear to heels is evident on this brand new Tamara Mellon designer resale item. Details Nappa Model Black & Brown So...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Heels
- CHANEL Black Pumps Gunmetal Stretch CC Pearls Heels Leather Brocade Sz 40By ChanelLocated in Hollywood, FLChanel Pumps Black Gunmetal Stretch CC Pearls Heels Leather Brocade Sz 40 Measurements Approx: Insole, 10" Heel Height, 3.5" Condition: Fair The ...Category
2010s Heels
- Valentino Black Leather Strappy Platform Heels - 37By ValentinoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLValentino Black Leather Strappy Platform Heels - 37. These heels are in excellent condition with very minor wear on the bottom. Measurements: Platform: 0.5" Heel: 4.5"Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian High Heels
- Manolo Blahnik New Metallic Eggplant Leather Pumps w/ Rhinestone Pendant - 40.5By Manolo BlahnikLocated in West Palm Beach, FLManolo Blahnik Metallic Eggplant Leather Pumps w/ Rhinestone Pendant - 40.5 - New. These lovely Blahnik pumps are in new condition having never been ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Bruno Magli Brown Signature Croc Embossed Moccasins Loafers Slip on Formal ShoesBy Bruno MagliLocated in Downey, CABruno Magli Brown Signature Croc Embossed Moccasins Loafers Slip on Dress Formal Shoes Bruno Magli's croc embossed loafer features hand-stitched suede le...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Frye Off White Men's James Wingtip Polished Leather Dress John A Formal ShoesLocated in Downey, CAFrye Off White Men's James Wingtip Antiqued /Polished Leather Dress John A Formal Shoes Masterfully tailored by our craftsman, the James Wingtip offers a...Category
2010s Mexican Shoes
- YSL Champagne Colored Satin Strappy Thick Straw Wedges - 41By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Palm Beach, FLYSL Champagne Colored Satin Strapped Thick Straw Wedge - 41. These thick, straw, wedges have metallic champagne colored satin straps interweaving on the top of the shoes. They are in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoes