Alaia 1994 black leather bra with fringing
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Approx. Modern day Fr 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14023143353
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.
- Balmain jacquard lame evening blazer, c. 2010By Balmain, Christopher DecarninLocated in London, GBA rare and highly sought after Balmain evening blazer from the Fall 2010 runway collection, designed by Christophe Decarnin. The blazer is in a high quality jacquard fabric with gold...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Lingerie
- Dolce & Gabbana black long-sleeve corset and maxi skirt ensemble, fw 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana corset and skirt evening ensemble ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Constructed from a fine silk with 10% elastane for a slight stretch ▪ Long-sleeve corset...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier black silk corset with copper foiled embroidery, fw 2006By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GB▪ Jean Paul Gaultier corset ▪ Copper foiled ribbon embroidery ▪ Metal hook-and-eye closures ▪ Lace-up fastening at centre-back with metal eyelets ▪ Nylon mesh lining ▪ Boned ▪ Un...Category
Early 2000s Italian Corsets
- Vivienne Westwood black satin corset with metallic gold pattern, ss 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood black satin corset top ▪ Metallic gold classical figures and motifs inspired by furniture jeweler, André-Charles Boul...Category
1990s British Corsets
- Dolce & Gabbana black corset and leggings set, fw 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana black corset suit ▪ Satin corset with attached white cotton shirt collar and cuffs ▪ Internal boning ▪ Wool jersey sleeves ▪ Extra long ruched wool jersey legging...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianfranco Ferre black astrakhan fur bodysuit, fw 1999By Gianfranco FerréLocated in London, GB▪ Gianfranco Ferre black astrakhan fur bodysuit ▪ High neck with long fur detail ▪ Power-mesh bodysuit ▪ Astrakhan fur bodice ▪ Zip fastening ▪ IT 4...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- Christies Bordeaux Bustier with Black FurLocated in Amsterdam, NLThis bustier is new and never worn it has still the tags from the exclusive Italian designer lingerie brand Christies. The color is black / bordeaux with black fur and rhinestones, t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Corsets
- Sequins Black Velvet Show TopLocated in Amsterdam, NLWe offer more special vintage items, view our frontstore Details: Black velvet top with beautiful color Seguin's with silvertone stones Lined with 2 inside shoulder straps Zipper at...Category
20th Century Bras
- Gianni Versace Couture Black with White Stars Long Sleeves Bodysuit TopBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 1996 Gianni Versace Couture black with white stars bodysuit top. - Pointed collar with black "Medusa" button zip closure. - Long Sleeves with black "Medusa" button cuff...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- Mod Brown Lycra Block Heel Two-In-One Leggings w Attached Boot - size M/8, 1960sLocated in Tucson, AZThink Yves Saint Laurent invented pantaboots in 2021? Think again with this pair from the swinging 60s. The ultimate thigh-high boot, they pull all the way to the waist so there's no...Category
1960s Unknown Boots
- Wolford Black Queen Anne Neck Bodysuit with Paisley Jacquard Placket – L, 2000sBy WolfordLocated in Tucson, AZFar from a basic bodysuit, this gorgeous Wolford model combines the understatement of a classic Johnny-collar pullover with the reassurance that your top will never come untucked. It...Category
Early 2000s Austrian Bodysuits
- Vintage Moschino 1990s Black and White Velour Pearl Encrusted Bodysuit SwimsuitBy MoschinoLocated in San Diego, CASexy 90s MOSCHINO black velour bodysuit, encrusted with white pearls! Features a soft crushed velour that stretches to fit. Flat headed pearls adorn the top portion on the front and ...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
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.