Azzedine Alaia Fall 1991 Runway Orange Chenille Cutout Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hertfordshire, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2765222784272
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: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Gucci Fall 2006 Runway Gold Beaded Halter Gown DressBy GucciLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Gucci Fall 2006 - seen on the runway, and on Keira Knightley Gold halter neck full length beaded gown Cowl neckline Low back Size IT...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel Fall 1995 Black Silk Satin Gown DressBy ChanelLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Fall 1995 Black silk satin full length dress Slightly flared A line skirt Fully lined Zip up back 100% silk Size EU 42 / UK 14 / US 10 Clipped back...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dior Fall 2006 Black Silk Chiffon Ruffle DressBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Dior Fall 2006 by John Galliano Black silk chiffon ruffle detail dress Midi length Can be worn on or off shoulder Double layered - slip dress under ruffle dress, attached ...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roberto Cavalli 2005 Blue Print Silk DressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Hertfordshire, GBRoberto Cavalli 2005 Navy blue & beige pattern silk maxi dress Cross back straps Slight train at the back 100% silk Bias cut Size IT 42 / UK 10 / US 6 Measurements - Waist 27-3...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Givenchy Couture by Alexander McQueen Fall 1998 Red Chiffon Mock Neck DressBy Alexander McQueen, GivenchyLocated in Hertfordshire, GBGivenchy Couture by Alexander McQueen Fall 1998 "Blade Runner" Collection - seen on the runway Deep red plunge dress with chiffon mock neck Sleeveless Zip up back Stretch fabric ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Helmut Lang Fall 1990 Runway Feather Trim DressBy Helmut LangLocated in Hertfordshire, GBVintage Helmut Lang Fall 1990 - seen on the runway Tan dress with feather trim skirt Semi sheer glitter lurex material Stretch material Size “9AR” - equivalent to approx size smal...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white striped trainBy Roland KleinLocated in Austin, TX1980s Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white train. Acetate fabric. 34" bust, 26" waist, 40" hips, 48" front length - 54 1/2" ba...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood Nude Satin, Black Lace and Velvet Corset and Skirt, FW 1996By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Brand: Vivienne Westwood Gold Label ▪ Creative Director: Vivienne Westwood ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 1996 ▪ Fabric: Black Lace, Nude Satin ▪ Details: One-shoulder corset top adorn...Category
1990s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1960s Galanos Creme Long Sleeve Dress with Green Rhinestones EmbellishmentBy Galanos for Amelia Gray, James GalanosLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1960s James Galanos from Amelia Gray Boutique Creme silk crinkle long sleeve dress embellished in green rhinestones and white beads. Dress has some issues on the arm pit . ( see imag...Category
1960s American Wedding Dresses
- 1980s Jacqueline de Ribes Deep Purple Taffeta One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress w RoseBy Jacqueline de RibesLocated in Gresham, OR1980s Jacqueline de Ribes Deep Purple Taffeta One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress w Roses: This documented Jacqueline de Ribes heavily boned, ruched, asymmetrical, ingeniously designed mi...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1970s Geoffrey Beene Red, Black, and Green Plaid Maxi DressBy Geoffrey Been Boutique, Geoffrey BeeneLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1970s Geoffrey Beene Plaid maxi long sleeve dress with beautiful collar and large belt. color : red, black, green and white paten leather belt po...Category
1970s American Wedding Dresses
- Blue sequin dress with white star sequins pattern JC/DCBy JC DE CASTELBAJACLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlue sequin dress with white star sequins pattern . Fabric composition: 100% polyester. The back is plain polyester satin. Orange cotton ribbing on the neck-line,on the bottom edge a...Category
Early 2000s Indian Cocktail Dresses