Alaïa Long Flared Dress in Brown/Orange Wool with Black Dots
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 57.09 in (145 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)Bust: 16.93 in (43 cm)Waist: 14.18 in (36 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Wool
- Condition:
- Seller Location:SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
- Reference Number:
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: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Christian Lacroix Organza Set EnsembleBy Christian LacroixLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRChristian Lacroix -(Made in France) Organza set consisting of a top, a long skirt and a belt. No size label, it fits a size 42FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Top: Chest: 50...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses
- Valentino Blue Short Dress Embroidered with SequinsBy ValentinoLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRValentino - Short dress embroidered with sequins. No size or composition label, it fits a 36FR. Fashion show model from the 1990's. Additional information: Dimensions: Chest: 40 cm,...Category
1990s Mini Dress
- Christian Dior Silk Dress Embroidered with Costume PearlsBy Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferré for Christian DiorLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRDior - (Made in France) Silk dress embroidered with costume pearls. Indicated size 42FR. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Chest: 42 cm - Waist: 34 ...Category
1990s French Mini Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier Long Black Dress in RayonBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRJean Paul Gaultier -(Made in Italy) Long black dress in rayon. Size 36FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Chest: 38 cm, Length: 140 cm Condition: Very good condition Seller R...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns
- Leonard Long Crepe Silk Dress, Size 40FRBy LeonardLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRLeonard - Long crepe silk dress with three-fourth puffy sleeves. The fabric is enhanced with golden details that seem to be painted directly on it. Round neckline with V-shape accent...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses
- Azzaro Taffeta Dress, Size 36FRBy Loris AzzaroLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRAzzaro (Made in Italy)- Short dress in silk taffeta. No composition or size tag, it fits a size 36FR. Additional information: Dimensions: Bust: 39 cm (15.35"), Waist: 33.5 cm (13...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses
- 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
- 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
- Gucci by Tom Ford Draped Brown Mini Dress S/S 2003By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in GOUVIEUX, FRBy Tom Ford iconic draped mini dress from the runway S/S 2003. - Deep V neckline - Light and soft fabric - Velvet spaghetti straps - Mini dress - Zip on the back - Opened sleeves yo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses