1980s Alaia Black Long Sleeve Bodysuit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 26 in (66.04 cm)Marked Size: 2-4 (US)Bust: 28 in (71.12 cm)Waist: 20 in (50.8 cm)Hip: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Style:Bodycon (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU55016649812
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 PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1950s Black Silk Tulle and Lace PeignoirLocated in London, GBThis is a beautiful example of a high end peignoir, most likely 1950s but could be up to a decade earlier or later, that is both demure and sexy at the same time. This is more of a shawl than a nightjacket and is of phenomenal quality made from a very fine grade silk tulle...Category
1950s Capes
- 1930s Lace Trimmed Peach Slip Dress with Scalloped HemLocated in London, GBSlip dresses of the 1930s are highly collectable and this is a truly lovely example. They are prized for their wearability and the luxuriousness of the fabrics as well as the simple ...Category
1930s Unknown Slips
- 1980s Jenny Dobell Seafoam Green and Lace Slip DressLocated in London, GBThis elegant slip dress is cut from beautiful seafoam green silk and trimmed with pale off-white lace. Created by luxury lingerie label Jenny Dobell in the 1980s, it draws on classic...Category
1980s Slips
- 1930s Blush Pink Silk and Lace Tap PantsLocated in London, GBThese original 1930s peach lace-edged tap pants are a superb example of art deco period lingerie and in really good vintage condition; we noticed just a couple of very faint marks to...Category
1930s English Negligees
- 1990s Valentino Floral Georgette Lingerie SetBy Valentino IntimoLocated in London, GBThis 1990s Valentino lingerie set features a floral and lace trimmed slip dress and a matching dressing gown with floaty sleeves, both in a beautifully so...Category
1990s American Negligees
- 1930s Peach Silk and Lace Insert Slip DressLocated in London, GBThis peachy pink silk late 1930s slip dress has the most beautiful lace insert detail to the bust and on the hem. It is cut in a very classic style, ...Category
1930s British Slips
- Gianni Versace Couture Black with White Stars Long Sleeves Bodysuit TopBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 1996 Gianni Versace Couture black with white stars bodysuit top. - Pointed collar with black "Medusa" button zip closure. - Long Sleeves with black "Medusa" button cuff...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- GIANNI VERSACE COUTURE S/S 1994 Black Sleeveless Circle Cutout Bodysuit TopBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Thiensville, WIVintage Gianni Versace Couture Spring/Summer 1994 "Punk Collection" black bodysuit top. Sleeveless with embroidered circle cutout detail at the chest and upper back. High cut legs. C...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
- Valentino Night Black and White body topBy ValentinoLocated in Capri, ITValentino Night Black and White body top totally made in italy in size 8 100% silkCategory
1990s Italian Shirts
- Vintage Calvin Klein 1990s Black Lace Sexy Long Sleeve 90s Bodysuit OnesieBy Calvin KleinLocated in San Diego, CASexy vintage rare early CALVIN KLEIN 1990s black lace bodysuit! All over black regal lace. Amazing bodycon fit, that is extremely versatile. Can eas...Category
1990s American Blouses and Tops
- Wolford Black Queen Anne Neck Bodysuit with Paisley Jacquard Placket – L, 2000sBy WolfordLocated in Tucson, AZFar from a basic bodysuit, this gorgeous Wolford model combines the understatement of a classic Johnny-collar pullover with the reassurance that your top will never come untucked. It...Category
Early 2000s Austrian Bodysuits
- 1980s Bob Mackie Black / Gold Leaf Burn Out Cut Velvet Vintage 80s BodysuitBy Bob MackieLocated in San Diego, CASexy early 80s BOB MACKIE black and gold leaf motif mesh and cut-out burnt velvet one piece sheer bodysuit ! I love the variety of fabrics on this rare ge...Category
1980s American Bodysuits