Alaïa Wool Pencil Skirt - 80s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4017222729312
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: Milano, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Gianfranco Ferré Sequined Capri Pants - 80sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Milano, ITGianfranco Ferré Sequined Capri Pants is a rare trouser by Ferré from the second half of the 1980s featuring a soft fit and cinched at the waist by an elastic lamé band. The entire g...Category
20th Century Italian Pants
- Gianfranco Ferré Raincoat - 80sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Milano, ITGianfranco Ferré Raincoat is a rare outerwear from Ferré featuring a wide cape-style structure with side zipper openings and contrasting red interior piping. Each zipper and gold met...Category
20th Century Italian Raincoats
- Gianfranco Ferré Leather Midi Dress - 80sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Milano, ITGianfranco Ferré Leather Midi Dress is a rare Ferrè garment from the 1980s made of very soft leather and decorated with stitching, especially at the wais...Category
20th Century Italian Informal Dresses
- Alaïa Wool Sage Suit - 80sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Milano, ITAlaïa Wool Sage Suit is a rare suit made by Azzedine Alaïa in the second half of 1980s characterized by the iconic raised seams that draw the figure with geometric lines, elasticated...Category
20th Century European Skirt Suits
- Krizia Silk Ballon Pants - 70sBy KriziaLocated in Milano, ITKrizia Silk Ballon Pants is a pair of Indian-style pants probably made in the late 1970s. The garment features a high buttoned waist, side pockets and a soft, cool fit thanks in part...Category
20th Century European Pants
- Alaïa Shearling Bolero - 80sBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Milano, ITAlaïa Shearling Bolero is a rare longuette made by Azzedine Alaïa in the second half of 1980s featuring asymmetrical frog closure, high collar, and shi...Category
20th Century European Bomber Jackets
- Galliano Vintage Black Velvet Skirt w/ Pink Spots - S - 1990'sBy John GallianoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGalliano Vintage Black Velvet Skirt w/ Pink Spots - S - 1990's. This adorable skirt is in excellent condition. It features a lovely black velvet material with pink spots, silk lini...Category
1990s British Skirts
- Chanel Black Silk Skirt - 38 - NWTBy ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel Black Silk Skirt - 38 - NWT. This Chanel skirt is black and made of silk. It is fitted around the hips and then flares out with pleating...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Chanel Vintage Black Silk Pleated Skirt - 38By ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel Vintage Black Silk Pleated Skirt - 38. This vintage Chanel skirt is black silk and has a gold button. It is flowing and pleated. This skirt is in excellent condition. Size 38....Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Chanel Black and Tan Skirt - MBy ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel Black and Tan Skirt - M. This Chanel skirt is black with a tan branching design. It has a gold button and a straight skirt style. This skirt is in...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Chanel Navy Pleated Front Skirt - 38By ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Chanel skirt is navy with front pleats. It has a flowing structure. This skirt is in excellent condition. Size 38. Measurements Waist: 28.5" Hips: 40" Length: 24"Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirts
- Oscar de la Renta Brown and Multi Print Silk Skirt with Ruffle - 6By Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta silk skirt is brown with a multi-color print on it that has different tones of blue. Going down the front of the s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Skirts