Azzedine Alaïa (French, b. Tunisia, 1940). Dress, fall/winter 1986-87. Light green rayon knit. Millia Davenport and Zipporah Fleisher Fund, 2007 (2007.82).
Azzedine Alaïa is a designer enamored of the challenges inherent in the transformation of the two-dimensional textile into the sculptural three-dimensional garment. In his atelier, it is not uncommon for the creation of a pattern, or the evolution of a textile, to gestate for months or even years. One of the beauties of his work is the ability to observe the steadily honing advancement and refinement of concepts and techniques in each collection. No other contemporary designer is as focused on the study and transcendence of the great masters of the past.
This short hooded sheath is from a series of knitted dresses and gowns Alaïa produced in the 1980s that are among his most famous early works. Although this rayon knit, with its elastic nature, is ideal for body-conforming styles, Alaïa, by introducing his carefully engineered flat seams, further controls its stretch to establish a glove-like fit and support.
February 21, 2008 at 10:22 am
This is beautiful. I love the interest and detail around the neckline and in the style lines. Oh, to have years to develop a pattern. That would be a dream.
February 22, 2008 at 3:09 pm
This dress is way 2 tight 4 me 2 wear.Also,it its kind of pretty.I wish I could wear it.Is this a dress or a long skinny shirt????????????
February 27, 2008 at 5:41 am
Wow!! Lovely design!!
March 1, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Possibly my favorite design of the exhibit, this piece just screams sensuality. It seems like a modernized version of an arabic traditional dress that breaks the mold while holding it all together at the same time. Bravo!
March 2, 2008 at 4:29 pm
This is beautiful, but subtle. It did not register at the exhibition
March 8, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I love all these dresses…
They are so pretty.
I appreciate it.
March 9, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I really like this dress because its pretty interesting.For fashion designers.Thank you for every thing.
March 14, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I feel like this dress needs more mannequin to fill out those “tight curves.”
March 21, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I think that curves are great, and we should celebrate working with such figures. Te he maori ora.
March 21, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I like this dress better in this picture than on the display with the hood. there it looks more like some goblin from starwars.
March 25, 2008 at 2:09 pm
They are so cute. I absolutely love em. They woul go great with my wondeful body that I have.
March 31, 2008 at 9:29 am
This dress is absolutely stunning but it still keeps Alaia’s streamlined aesthetic. It looks almost like sportswear, but still manages to be elegant and refined. Only Alaia could combine elegant details like the cowl neck and the seams on the skirt with a sporty fabric and still make it fit like a glove on a woman’s curves.
March 31, 2008 at 12:40 pm
This dress is very nice. The color is extremely attractive. I hope to own and design one, in the future.