Azzedine Alaïa Haute Couture jacket in black cotton and twine - France Circa 198
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Equivalent to size 38/39 France (EU)
- Style:1980 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good Condition and Color.
- Seller Location:Toulon, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU633322751322
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: Toulon, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Bolero waistcoat in suede possibly painted by René Gruau -French Circa 1940-1950By René GruauLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1940/1950 France Light blue and beige suede sleeveless waistcoat entirely hand-painted on a musical theme probably signed by René Gruau. Commissioned for a play in the late 19...Category
1940s French Jackets
- A Jean Paul Gaultier Zipped Jacket for Gibo Circa 2010By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 2010 France A Jean Paul Gaultier zipped jacket, as new, for Gibo from the 2010s. Very fine and very tight wool and silk gabardine with grisaille patterns in rainbow in the sha...Category
2010s French Jackets
- Elegant Openwork Wool Crepe Evening Coat - France Circa 1935-1945Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1935-1945 France Elegant evening coat in black woollen crepe with geometric and openwork motifs around the edges, signed withl'Aigle Royal, a fashion house in Blois. Very flu...Category
1930s French Evening Dresses
- A Rare Ottoman Banyan in Embroidered Silk - Early 19th centuryLocated in Toulon, FRLate 18th or early 19th century Ottoman Empire Astonishing and very early banyan, kaftan or ottoman coat dating from the late eighteenth century. Raw silk background with woven check...Category
Early 1800s Turkish Caftans
- Orange Cashmere Woollen Paisley Stole Shawl - France Circa 1850Located in Toulon, FRCirca 1850/1855 France Rare Woven shawl with a cut-out lancet shape that adorns the shoulders of the elegant crinoline from the end of the Louis Philippe period. Lush vegetal decor loaded with wavy stems boteh rising in the bright orange central reserve. This type of Visite stole, made available on a Jacquard loom, was initiated by Amédée Couder at the Universal Exhibition in Paris 1839 and in particular produced by the Maison Parisienne...Category
1850s French Shawls
- A french Pierre Cardin Jacket in Quilted Velvet Circa 1980By Pierre CardinLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1980 France Mid-season jacket in quilted Marine dark blue velvet by Pierre Cardin and dating from the 1980s. Lightly flared long-sleeved jacket that reaches the hips. Two pockets in the same fabric. Classic folded collar and gold embroidery on the chest representing the Pierre Cardin logo...Category
1980s French Jackets
- Dolce & Gabbana pink floral silk jacket and skirt ensemble, c. 1990sBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana hot pink silk ensemble with vibrant floral print throughout. Knee length jacket with leopard silk lining. Above the knee length pencil skirt. c. 1990sCategory
1990s Italian Skirt Suits
- Issey Miyake black nylon oversized parachute coat, fw 1987By Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBIssey Miyake; Black nylon oversized parachute coat with batwing sleeves and two front pockets Fall-Winter 1987Category
1990s Japanese Jackets
- GUCCI black leather 2021 GG EMBOSSED Blazer Jacket 40 SBy GucciLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Gucci blazer in black clafskin leather (100%) with GG embossing. Features notched lapels and two flap pockets at the waist. Closes with black metal buttons and is line...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
- ISSEY MIYAKE black polyester PLEATED DRAPED WRAP Jacket 2 SBy Issey MiyakeLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Issey Miyake open wrap jacket in black polyester (100%). Features a draped collar and long sleeves. Closes with a single button on the neck. Has been worn and is in e...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- ETRO white silk 2019 LINDSAY EMBROIDERED Vest Jacket 46 XLBy EtroLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Etro Lindsay cropped vest in cream and black silk (100%) with embroidery in black, pink, green. Features a mock neck and sequin and chain embellishments. Closes with c...Category
2010s Jackets
- GUCCI black viscose 2019 CONTRAST TRIM CADY Blazer Jacket XSBy GucciLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Gucci stretch cady blazer in black viscose (with 3% elastane). Features white and red grosgrain trim, peak lapels, buttoned cuffs and two flap pockets. Closes with two...Category
2010s Blazers