Vintage Alaïa Wool Coat Dark Grey, Size 8
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Length: 38 in (96.52 cm)Marked Size: 6 (US)Bust: 37 in (93.98 cm)Waist: 30.25 in (76.84 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- 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: Beverly Hills, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Comme des Garcons GIRL Black Wool Blazer Jacker w/ Buttons Size SBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAComme des Garcons GIRL Black Wool Blazer Jacker w/ Buttons Size S Product details: Size Small Featuring rounded trim w/ button detail on the bo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Blazers
- Alaia Black Wool Blazer Jacket Size 38Located in Beverly Hills, CAAlaia Black Wool Blazer Jacket Size 38 Product details: Size 38/ 6 Featuring striped pattern Three front buttons closure Two front pockets Three butt...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Blazers
- Valentino Black Leather Studded Jacket Size 8By ValentinoLocated in Beverly Hills, CAValentino Black Leather Studded Jacket Size 8 Product details: Size 8 Silver tone geometric and turquoise round studs detail Collar Zip closure Two front...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coats and Outerwear
- Black and White Blazer Jacket, Size SLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: Unknown designer. Black and white jacket with no closure and painting detail on the back.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
- Erika Cavallini Semi- Couture Animal Print CoatLocated in Beverly Hills, CAProduct details: Featuring leopard print, front button closure, collar detail, 3/4 length sleeves (17" long) and oversized fit. Made in France.Category
Late 20th Century French Jackets
- Libertine Navy Blazer JacketLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Navy velvet collar detail - Geometric, circle pattern print - Front button closure - Fringe detail on the bottom of the sleeves - Fits size XS to SCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Blazers
- Hermes Dark Blue Signature Leather Reversible Bomber With Knit Trim 48 JacketBy HermèsLocated in Downey, CAHermes Dark Blue Signature Leather Reversible Bomber With Knit Trim 48 Jacket Worlds famous extremely rare Hermes men's reversible jacket brand new with tags a perfect gift for any ...Category
2010s French Jackets
- Dsquared2 Dark Blue Classic DQ2 Men's Button Down IT/FR JacketBy Dsquared2Located in Downey, CADsquared2 Dark Blue Classic DQ2 Men's Button Down IT/FR Jacket This blue cotton blend denim jacket from DSQUARED2 features a classic collar, a front button fastening, two chest pock...Category
2010s Italian Jackets
- Saint Laurent Hedi Slimane FW15 Lambskin Biker LS1 Jacket LargeBy Saint LaurentLocated in Downey, CASaint Laurent Hedi Slimane FW15 Lambskin Biker LS1 Jacket Large No designer nails that rock ‘n’ roll vibe like Saint Laurent. Worked with all the classic details...Category
2010s Jackets
- Black Signature Velvet Zipper Blouson Jacket Luxury Men's 50 BlazerLocated in Downey, CABlack Signature Velvet Zipper Blouson Jacket Luxury Men's 50 Blazer One of a kind Givenchy zip up side arm jacket worn by several models during Riccardo Tisci's infamous Fall/Winter...Category
2010s Blazers
- Chanel Black Cropped Jacket - 40 - circa 2000By ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel black double breasted cropped bolero-style jacket. This jacket has a wool fabric and a three button accent on the torso. It is in excellent condition. Circa 2000s. Size 40. ...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Sophie Hong Blue Silk Crochet Vest - SLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Sophie Hong blue silk crochet knit vest is sleeveless. It has a blue and grayish pattern and some of the knitted fabric forms flowers. This vest is in excellent condition. Meas...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Vests
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Azzedine Alaïa Was a Couturier Who Thought Like a Sculptor
The first fashion exhibit to be held at the new London Design Museum celebrates the famed Tunisian-Parisian couturier's lifetime of work.
With Gems by Bulgari, Cartier and Others, Nadine Krakov Keeps Her L.A. Clients Sparkling
Exceptional jewels, thoughtfully designed and meticulously handmade, are the specialty of the house.