1991 Alaia Black Skirt Suit Butterflies Tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 26.78 in (68 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Please note this item is in good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use. (please enlarge images to see all details on photos).
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU187222863632
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: Paris, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Christian Dior Check-Pattern Box JacketBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior 1990s check-pattern box jacket featuring an interlock weave, a check pattern, notched lapels, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs, chest welt pocket, two side flap pocket...Category
1990s French Dinner Jackets
- Christian Dior Double-Breasted CoatBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior double-breasted thigh-length coat featuring a herringbone pattern, a Peter Pan collar, double-breasted button fastening. Wool 100% Circa: 2000s In good vintage condit...Category
Early 2000s French Dinner Jackets
- Christian Lacroix Cream Jacquard Skirt SuitBy Christian LacroixLocated in Paris, FRChristian Lacroix cream white toggle-fastening jacquard skirt suit featuring a wool-silk blend, a full jacquard. Jacket gets a V-neck, a front jewel toggle fastening, crop sleeves, a...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- 2001, Chanel Ivory Camellia Two-Piece Skirt SuitBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel light ivory camellia pattern two-piece skirt suit featuring a cotton-silk blend fabric, a signature Camélia motive, faux-pearl embellishment. For the jacket featuring a classi...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Christian Dior Black Dress and Bolero SetBy Christian DiorLocated in Paris, FRChristian Dior black flared dress and bolero set featuring semi-sheer construction, this Christian Dior set is spun with a full jacquard design. Composed of a flared dress and a shor...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1973 Loris Azzaro Metallic Chainmail SetBy Loris AzzaroLocated in Paris, FR1973 Loris Azzaro metallic chainmail knitted set featuring two tone metallic top comes with matching chainmail shoulder bag. Structured minaudiere frame featuring baroque ball clas...Category
1970s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Giorgio di Sant Angelo Suede Vest and Skirt Ensemble, Circa 1970sBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in Brooklyn, NY1970s two piece vest and skirt set. Midnight blue suede & interior leather. Circle cut outs with electric green leather "polka dot" inlay. Sleeveless v...Category
1970s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Morphew Collection Indigo Blue Tiger Head Print Cold Rayon Bias PajamasBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMorphew Collection Indigo Blue Tiger Head Print Cold Rayon Bias Pajamas MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from around t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pajamas
- Romeo Gigli for Callaghan Spring-Summer 1991 silk pant and shawl ensembleBy Romeo GigliLocated in London, GBRomeo Gigli for Callaghan Spring-Summer 1991 silk pant and shawl ensembleCategory
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Claude Montana Pant SuitBy Claude MontanaLocated in Los Angeles, CACharcoal grey pant suit. Woven leather trim. Belted. Shoulder pads. Side zipper on pants. Lined. Made in Italy. *Condition: Excellent vintage conditio...Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1960s Chanel Haute Couture Gold and Brown Jacket and Dress EnsembleBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioFabulous 1960s Chanel Haute Couture jacket and dress ensemble crafted from a gold, sage green and light brown plaid tweed. The jacket is co...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Dolce & Gabbana leaf print silk chiffon blouse and pants set, ss 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana green leaf print pant suit ▪ 100% Silk ▪ Button-up short sleeve blouse ▪ Nude flared pants ▪ IT 42 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 1997Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles