Rare Alaia Vintage S/S 1991 Tati Black White Houndstooth Print Mini Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 31 in (78.74 cm)Marked Size: L (EU)Bust: 30 in (76.2 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)Hip: 34 in (86.36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Jersey City, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3222222412722
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: Jersey City, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Chanel Vintage Spring/Summer 1991 Black Lace Silk Bow LBD Mini DressBy ChanelLocated in Jersey City, NJThe little black dress from Chanel Spring/Summer 1991 is a stunning piece embodying the classic elegance of Chanel. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld and presented by supermodels Claudia Sc...Category
1990s French Mini Dresses
- Alaia Silver Grey Square Neck Knit Perforated Fit Flare DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Jersey City, NJA true representation of Azzedine Alaia's iconic style, this dove grey fit-and-flare dress with a square neckline is a timeless staple for every woman's closet. It boasts a chic squa...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dresses
- Chanel Vintage S/S 1994 Black White Vinyl PVC Striped 94P Mini DressBy ChanelLocated in Jersey City, NJStep back into the iconic fashion of the 1994 Chanel Spring/Summer collection with this vintage black and white striped mini dress. Made from sleek vinyl PVC, it boasts a striking ch...Category
1990s French Mini Dresses
- Chanel Vintage Haute Couture SS1997 White Ecru Black Raspberry Tweed Jacket SuitBy ChanelLocated in Jersey City, NJThe Chanel Haute Couture suit from the Spring 1997 collection is a remarkable piece of fashion that embodies sophistication and revolution. C...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Chanel Vintage S/S 1995 Barbie Black Knit Crochet Pearl 95P JumpsuitBy ChanelLocated in Jersey City, NJStep back into the glamorous world of Chanel with this exceptionally rare piece from the Vintage Spring/Summer 1995 collection. This stunning black crochet jumpsuit...Category
1990s French Jumpsuits
- Chanel Vintage S/S 1998 Silver Crystal Chiclet Straps Black 98p Gown DressBy ChanelLocated in Jersey City, NJMeet this exquisite vintage Chanel dress from the iconic Spring/Summer 1998 collection, famously worn by the stunning Naomi Campbell. Crafted from luxurious black wool crepe, its sil...Category
1990s French Maxi Dress
- 1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressLocated in New York, NY1990S GIANNI VERSACE Style Silk Crepe De Chine Leopard Baroque Scarf Print DressCategory
1990s Casual Dresses
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral TrimBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Peach Silk Jersey Dress With Cutout Front & 1930S Floral Trim MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Casual Dresses
- 1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownLocated in New York, NY1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownCategory
1970s Formal Gowns
- DOLCE & GABBANA black & white ROSE PRINT & LACE Dress 42By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CHDolce & Gabbana shift dress in black and white viscose (82%) cotton (16%) nylon (2%) with a rose print and lace part at the bottom, stand-up collar, puffed shoulders, long sleeves wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- Paganne by Gene Berk Dress Long Maxi Column Sleeveless Mod Op Art Vintage 70sBy Paganne, Paganne by Gene BerkLocated in Port Saint Lucie, FLVintage maxi dress, made by Paganne and designed by Gene Berk, most likely in the early 70s. Made from a poly/nylon blend jersey fabric, it features a bold abstract print in shades o...Category
1970s American Maxi Dresses