Alaia Navy Sleeveless Gathered Fit Flare sz FR42
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 38 in (96.52 cm)Marked Size: 42 (EU)Bust: 28 in (71.12 cm)Waist: 22 in (55.88 cm)Hip: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- 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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Alaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz LBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Grey Sleeveless Fit & Flare V Neck Dress Sz L Made In: Italy Color: Grey Materials: 50% cotton, 25% viscose, 20% nylon, 5% polyester Opening/Closure: Hidden back zipper Overal...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- ALAIA Black Knit Fit Flare Dress w/ Metallic Detail sz 40By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Knit Fit Flare Dress Features scoop neckline and black metallic textured stripe design Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 45% viscose, 35% wool,15% polyester, 5% ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Informal Dresses
- Alaia Black Fit & Flare V Neck Sleeveless Dress W/ Crochet Hem Sz IT42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Fit & Flare V Neck Sleeveless Dress W/ Crochet Hem Sz 42 Made In: Italy Color: Black Materials: 82% viscose, 10% polyester, 6% nylon 2% elastodiene Opening/Closure: Hid...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- ALAIA Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress sz 42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Black Sleeveless Zigzag Trapeze Dress Features micro-pleats throughout Made in: Italy Color: Black Composition: 90% viscose, 5% nylon, 5% polyester Lining: None Closure/o...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Babydoll Day Dresses
- Alaia Brown Wool Fit & Flare V-Neck Dress Sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Brown Wool Fit & Flare V-Neck Dress Sz FR42 Made In: Italy Color: Brown Composition: 78% Wool, 12% polyester, 6% cupro, 4% nylon Lining: None Closure/opening: Back center zip ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Alaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in New York, NYAlaia Mauve Eyelet Fit and Flare Dress Sz FR42 Features eyelet throughout Made In: Italy Color: Mauve / lavender Composition: 85% viscose, 10% polyester, 5% nylon Lining: None Closu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Valentino vintage black dress NWOTBy ValentinoLocated in Capri, ITValentino vintage black dress NWOT size 44Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage 1960 Norman Norell Sequin Star Novelty Black Sheer Illusion Tulle GownBy Norman NorellLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis iconic Norman Norell couture gown exemplifies his signature blend of couture level quality with quintessentially American style; elegant in its simplicity. Dating back to his 19...Category
1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Chic 1960s Black and Silver Metallic Lace Rayon Crepe Vintage 60s Sheath DressLocated in San Diego, CAChic 1960s black rayon crepe and silver metallic lace vintage sheath dress ! Features an empire style waist with bow at side left waist. Swag detail at ...Category
1960s Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Nolan Miller Couture Chocolate Brown Silk Chiffon Vintage 70s Midi DressBy Nolan MillerLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful 1970s NOLAN MILLER COUTURE chocolate brown silk chiffon long sleeve midi dress ! Miller, who was the famed designer for all the wardrobe on "Dynasty" in the 80s, started hi...Category
1970s American Evening Gowns
- 1970s Purple and Gold Silk Maxi GownsLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Raksha Purple and Gold long sleeve maxi gown with silk belt. Size :6/8 MediumCategory
1970s Indian Wedding Dresses
- 2000s Moschino Cheap & Chic Black and White Size 6 8 Hand Painted Vintage DressBy Moschino Cheap and Chic, MoschinoLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage early 2000s MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC black and white hand painted short sleeve y2k dress! Features flattering white handpainted white stripes around the neck and sleeves...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses