Azzedine Alaia indigo blue denim playsuit, ss 1991
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 40 - UK 12 - US 8 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140211685812
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.
- Vivienne Westwood blue denim pant suit with bleached floral print, ss 1994By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood blue denim pant suit with bleached abstract floral print. Fitted cropped denim jacket and high waisted slim fit jeans. ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood blue denim star print 'Mini Crini' dungarees. ss 1985By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood blue denim star print 'Mini Crini' dungarees 'Mini Crini' Spring-Summer 1985Category
1980s British Jumpsuits
- Gianni Versace aqua blue felted wool and gold lace top and skirt set, ss 1999By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace aqua blue felted wool top and skirt set ▪ Designed by Donatella Versace ▪ Felted wool with metallic gold lace underlay ▪ Nude mesh ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana viscose jersey turquoise floral pant suit, circa 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana viscose jersey turquoise floral pant suit with embellished cuffs c. 1996-1999Category
1990s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- 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
- 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
- 1970s Halston Tie Dyed Blue Silk Vintage 70s Dress Jacket EnsembleBy HalstonLocated in San Diego, CAStunning vintage 1970s HALSTON (attributed) blue tie dyed silk chiffon maxi dress and jacket ensemble! Dress simply slips over the head, and features multiple layers of soft lightwei...Category
1970s Evening Gowns
- 1970S Blue Cotton Denim Sleeveless JumpsuitLocated in New York, NY1970S Blue Cotton Denim Sleeveless JumpsuitCategory
1970s Jumpsuits
- VERSACE COLLECTION BLUE SUIT (as seen on JUSTIN) 56 - 46By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE THE SAME SUIT WAS WORN BY JUSTIN TO iHeart Radio Awards The suit was instantly sold out everywhere after he made his appearance wearing it. It's your only chance. Don'...Category
2010s Italian Trouser Pant Suits
- Rare 1980s Krizia Baloo " Jungle Book " Novelty Print Vintage 80s JumpsuitBy KriziaLocated in San Diego, CARare and collectible KRIZIA Baloo "Jungle Book" print one piece jumpsuit! Features Baloo, the sloth bear, in various poses around the front and back bodice....Category
1980s Italian Jumpsuits
- Rare Michaele Vollbracht Spring 1979 Abstract Print Bandeau Skirt Ensemble DressBy Michaele VollbrachtLocated in San Diego, CARare and extremely chic Spring 1979 MICHAELE VOLLBRACHT abstract print cotton ensemble! Vollbracht only ran his fashion line from 1979 to 1985. This was from his first collection! Features a strapless bandeau handkerchief hem top and matching midi skirt. Warm colors of maroon / burgundy, olive greeen, blue, ivory and black throughout. Top can also be worn multiple ways, as can the skirt. Skirt has an elastic waistband to stretch to fit. Bandeau top is double fabric and has a different print on each side. Super soft cotton that has natural stretch. Michael Vollbracht...Category
1970s American Skirt Suits
- 1970S ENZO RUSSO COUTURE Blue Silk Chiffon Victorian Style Dress With Lace BlouLocated in New York, NYHand made in Italy 1970S ENZO RUSSO COUTURE Blue Silk Chiffon Victorian Style Dress With Lace BlouseCategory
1970s Twin Sets
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.