Azzedine Alaia black laser cut boiled wool fringed tunic, fw 1993
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Medium (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14028973241
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.
- Men's Matsuda grey striped knitted cotton shirt sweater, ss 1995By Mitsuhiro MatsudaLocated in London, GB▪ Men's Matsuda grey striped shirt sweater ▪ 100% Cotton ▪ Deconstructed design ▪ Knitted sweater at top panel ▪ Button up shirt at bottom panel ▪ Size Large ▪ Spring-Summer 1995Category
1990s Japanese Sweaters
- Martin Margiela oversized destroyed burgundy knitted sweater vest, fw 2000By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Martin Margiela oversized burgundy knitted sweater vest ▪ Sold by One of a Kind Archive ▪ Fall-Winter 2000 ▪ Museum Grade ▪ Produced by Mis...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sweaters
- Vivienne Westwood black wool cardigan with ostrich feather trim, fw 1993By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black wool cardigan with ostrich feather trim and embroidered Orb on the chest. Fall-Winter 1993Category
1990s British Cardigans
- Dolce & Gabbana black silk oversized knitted sweater, ss 1994By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana black silk loosely knitted oversized sweater dress. Spring-Summer 1994Category
1990s Italian Sweaters
- Yves Saint Laurent brown wool sweater with matching large scarf, c. 1980sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBYves Saint Laurent - Knitted brown sweater in a camo print with matching large scarf - Ribbed cuffs and collarCategory
1980s French Sweaters
- Margiela grey wool jersey sweater with inverted darts, fw 1989By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in London, GB▪ Margiela grey wool jersey sweater ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Inverted darts and seams ▪ Scoop neckline ▪ FR 40 - UK 12 ▪ Fall-Winter 1989Category
1980s Italian Sweaters
- 2013 Off-White Black Oversized Intarsia CardiganBy Off-WhiteLocated in Scottsdale, AZGet your perfect winter sweater just in time for the season! Stay warm in the most fashionable cardigan out there with the coolest off-white branding Virgil 1st collection! This is an OFF-WHITE "Main Label" oversize knit cardigan in black and off-white wool (72%) and polyamide (28%) with "OFF" and "© 2013" printed on large folded over cuffs. The oversized fit and the thick knit will keep your warm on the chilliest days. Has one slip pocket on the front. Choose to wear this cardigan closed by using the four front with large snap buttons or open to layer. Unlined. This sweater is in great condition with no notable flaws. Pair this cardigan with some Gucci Tom Ford leather pants...Category
2010s American Cardigans
- 1980s Gucci GG Logo Vintage Hunting Bird Oversized Turtleneck SweaterBy GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare oversized 'GG' logo wool and alpaca pullover turtleneck sweater designed by Gucci in the 1980s for their menswear line. The tonal logo is accented with an image of a pheasant-like bird as an homage to Gucci's sportswear DNA. This vintage piece can be dressed up or down by any wearer and looks like it came straight from the set of...Category
1980s Italian Pullovers
- Late 1990s Gianni Versace by Donatella Sequin Fishnet Stretch Knit Sweater TopBy Gianni Versace, Donatella Versace for Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black wide knit Gianni Versace sweater, designed by Donatella Versace. From the late 1990s, this fabulous top features a fishnet-like knit...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
- F/W 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Double Buckle Black Knit Wool Cardigan TopBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an open black knit Gucci cardigan, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 1998 collection, this incredible cardigan features two closures at the front, each marked 'Gucci', which tactfully leave the sweater slightly open. The sweater is made complete with diagonal perforated stripe details at the front. A rare piece of early Gucci...Category
1990s Italian Cardigans
- 1996 Gucci by Tom Ford Psychedelic Silk Print Wool Panel Cardigan SweaterBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a floral print Gucci cardigan, designed by Tom Ford. From 1996, this black wool cardigan features a v-neckline and front button closure. The cardigan is made complete with...Category
1990s Italian Cardigans
- 1990s Gianni Versace Black White Cheetah Print Stretch Knit Sweater TopBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black and white cheetah print Gianni Versace sweater, designed by Gianni Versace. From the 1990s, this beautiful sweater is covered in bla...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
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.