Azzedine Alaïa F/W 1991 Leopard wool knitted body and leggings set
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 42 (EU)
- Style:1991 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Milano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3592222805122
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.
- Jean Paul Gaultier “Les Tatouages” baroque dollar t-shirt and pants set, ss 1994By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 6,12 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Banknote cotton print t-shirt and leggings set - Raw cut - Crewneck t-shirt - T-shirt fit over - Harem leggings fitted to the body - Sp...Category
1990s French Jumpsuits
- Roberto Cavalli Stud embellished top and silk printed pants set, Resort 2014By Roberto CavalliLocated in Milano, IT- Runway look 29, 31 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Pink, white and yellow print embellished stud top - Crewneck top - Different motif pink, white and yellow printed silk pants - Resort 20...Category
2010s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Gianni Versace F/W 1983 Black Oroton chainmail top and skirt setBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Gianni Versace - Sold by Skof.Archive - Black Oroton chainmail two piece skirt suit - Knee length skirt with draped detail - Cotton waistband skirt - Hidden side zip...Category
1980s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana black viscose ruched harem jumpsuit, ss 1991By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Milano, IT- Ruched cropped crotch - Sold by Skof.Archive - Hidden zipper on the back - Hight Waist - Harem Pants - Spring Summer 1991 Size: FR 38 - IT 42 - UK 10 - US 6 (EU) Measurements...Category
1990s Italian Jumpsuits
- Gucci by Tom Ford F/W 2004 aubergine silk taffeta three pieces setBy Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Milano, IT- Designed by Tom Ford - Sold by Skof.Archive - Runway look 1 - Fall-Winter 2004 - Aubergine stretch skirt and pants suit - Silk taffeta finished with velvet three pieces set - Silk...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Maison Martin Margiela S/S 2006 Black viscose shoulder off panel jumpsuitBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Milano, IT- Maison Martin Margiela black viscose jumpsuit - Sold by Skof.Archive - Shoulders off - Adjustable panels on the back - Silicon bust line - Size: FR 36 - IT 40 - UK 8 - US 4 (EU)...Category
Early 2000s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 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
- Dolce & Gabbana black wool embroidered 3-piece evening ensemble, ss 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Slim fit pants - Vest with built in bra - Obi belt Spring-Summer 1999Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana silk chiffon blouse and skirt pants set, ss 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana chiffon set ▪ 90% Silk, 10% Lycra ▪ Loose-fit blouse with large scarf collar ▪ Fitted leggings with attached mini skirt ▪ IT 38 - FR ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana coral cropped jacket and mini skirt suit, ss 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana coral cropped jacket and mini skirt suit ▪ Viscose, silk and elastane blend ▪ Textured surface ▪ Cropped single-breasted blazer jac...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Giorgio Armani Classico Midnight Blue Pinstriped Wool & Silk Suit 5XLBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Nail the formal look in a stylish way with this designer suit from Giorgio Armani. Finely tailored from a silk & wool blend, the set carries a pinstriped design. The blazer features ...Category
2010s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles