Azzedine Alaia navy knitted virgin wool bodycon hooded dress, fw 1986
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140214032122
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Azzedine Alaïa green and black wool jersey wrap dress, fw 1982By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaïa wool jersey wrap dress ▪ Green long-sleeve bodice ▪ Black knee-length wrap skirt ▪ Black patent leather straps with metal buckle ▪ Press studs at the center-back o...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaia purple and beige striped cotton dress with cut out, ss 1990By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Azzedine Alaia purple and beige striped cotton dress ▪ Plunging neckline ▪ Broad straps ▪ Midriff cut out ▪ Cinched waist ▪ Long pleated ci...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Azzedine Alaia black leather eyelet-embellished dress, ss 1981By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GB▪ Important and early Azzedine Alaia black leather dress ▪ Museum grade ▪ Draped panel embellished with metal eyelets ▪ Choker neck ▪ One strap connecting the shoulder to the waist ...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Worlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren grey smock dress, ss 1983By Vivienne Westwood, Worlds EndLocated in London, GB▪ A rare Worlds End grey cotton smock dress ▪ Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren ▪ Tain panel at the front skirt which can be worn as a shawl ▪ Drawstring neckline ...Category
1980s English Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier navy striped nylon mesh tube dress and cardigan set, c. 2001By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier tube dress and cardigan set ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Nylon mesh with navy blue and white stripes and a graf...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Martin Margiela artisanal dress made from reclaimed vintage dresses, fw 1993By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Rare Martin Margiela artisanal maxi dress ▪ Made from a patchwork of damaged 1940s dresses sourced by the designer at the flea markets in Paris ▪ Small - Medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1993 ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace 1997 Couture fall black leather gownBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHGianni Versace was an influential Italian fashion designer who founded the Versace brand. In the fall of 1997, he presented his couture collection in Paris, which was widely acclaimed for its opulent fabrics, bold prints, and intricate detailing. The collection featured several notable pieces, such as a black evening gown with a plunging neckline and a gold-encrusted jacket. However, just a few days later, on July 15th, 1997, Gianni was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach home. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of fashion continue to be celebrated, and his legacy remains an inspiration too many. This collection is iconic as it’s the final collection before his passing. The collection very much showed a new direction for the house. Which was heading away from the bombshell curves and souped-up sex appeal that the house previously focussed on. But took more Inspirations to the new wave John Galliano and Mcqueen were leading. MET Gala: Salma Hayek y sus mejores momentos en la alfombra roja Vogue For the 1997 Met Gala Salma Hayek wore a very similar Gianni Versace look...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 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
- Fall Winter 1988/89 Patrick Kelly Vintage Leopard Print Bodycon Runway DressBy Patrick KellyLocated in Portland, ORThis rare vintage Patrick Kelly leopard print dress is in a stretch fabric with ruching at the black velvet paneled sides which hugs the body per...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- 1970s Albert Nipon Vintage Dress in Black Satin With Ruff CollarBy Albert NiponLocated in Portland, ORThis beautiful vintage dress was designed by Albert Nipon in the 1970's. The dress is black satin with a ruff collar that has rows of topstitching. This is...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- 2016 Moschino Couture Spilled Perfume Bottle Print Dress New with TagsBy MoschinoLocated in Portland, ORThis fun Moschino Couture dress is in a black, white and gold satin spilled perfume bottles print. This dress was designed by Jeremy Scott and is from the Moschino Resort...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Lanvin 2013 Alber Elbaz Sleeveless Gray & Black Metallic Animal Print DressBy Lanvin Paris, Alber ElbazLocated in Portland, ORThis is such an incredible Lanvin cocktail dress designed by Alber Elbaz for his 2013 River collection. We love dresses like this one because it can be dressed up for dinner or worn ...Category
2010s Italian Informal Dresses
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.
This Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Ensemble Is Part Zsa Zsa Gabor, Part ‘Blade Runner’
As Burton steps away from the brand, it’s a fitting time to revisit one of her visionary designs.