1991 AZZEDINE ALAIA black ribbed chenille dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 35 in (88.9 cm)Marked Size: FR S (EU)Bust: 32 in (81.28 cm)Waist: 22 in (55.88 cm)Hip: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Fabric content: 45% laine wool, 35% viscose, 18% nylon and 2% elastin.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light signs of wear.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8120654142
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: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- YVES SAINT LAURENT by Stefano Pilati black draped caftan dressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CADramatic, jet black caftan dress with draped sides at designed by Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent dating to spring of 2009' Labeled a French size XXS although this dress is ver...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Gowns
- 1960's JACQUES HEIM black silk dress with sheer mousseline overlayBy Jacques HeimLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack silk dress with sheer mousseline overlay designed by Jacques Heim made by Maria carine dating to the 1960's. Fits a US 4 or 6. Approximate measureme...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- 2006 MARC JACOBS silk leopard print RUNWAY dress with beadingBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Fransisco, CARich brown and black leopard printed silk velvet dress with beaded waistband from Marc Jacobs as seen on the runway for Fall of 2006. Dress is labeled a size 2, however, it can easil...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1970's TED LAPIDUS couture eyelet dress with tiered hemBy Ted Lapidus, Ted Lapidus Haute CoutureLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack eyelet lace dress with tiered hemline designed by Ted Lapidus dating to the 1970's. Best fits a US 2-4. Approximate measurements: bust 32" (+1" of give), waist 28.5", hips 36" ...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- 1980's VALENTINO black pleated strapless dressBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAJet-black, pleated , silk mini dress from Valentino Boutique dating to the early 1980's. Fits a size 6 or possibly an 8. Approximate measurements are: bust 36", waist 28", hips 36", ...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Sorelle Fontana charcoal grey wool dress with gold brocade detail, 1960sBy Sorelle FontanaLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare charcoal wool dress with gold brocade insert and decorative beaded buttons designed by the Fontana sisters 'Sorelle Fontana' dating to the ea...Category
1960s Italian Day Dresses
- Roger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown-10-Circa 70'sBy Roger FreresLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRoger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown - Sz 10 - Circa 70's Additional Measurements: Bust 40" Waist 30" Shoulder to Shoulder 16" Sleeve length 25" Length 59"Category
1970s French Evening Gowns
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Carolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4By Carolyne RoehmLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCarolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. It is short sleeved and has side ruching with rhinestone buttons ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta 1990's Red & Purple Satin & Velvet Color Block Dress-Size 8By Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta 1990's Red & Purple Color-Block Dress - 8. This dress is in excellent condition and is long sleeved. The top part is velvet and the ...Category
1990s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Michael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10By Michael CaseyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMichael Casey Silk Chiffon & Ivory Cut Velvet Strapless Gown - 10. This gorgeous gown is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous ivory silk chiffon material, paneled velvet ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns