Iconic Fall 1991 Azzedine Alaia Museum Held Leopard Knit Dress

Perhaps one of the most iconic of all the Alaia collections, and most certainly the one that is instantly recognizable, the Fall/Winter 1991-1992 collection was head to toe leopard that in its day was mind-boggling daring and almost subversive. He put the print not only on dresses and leggings but on the shoes, berets and bags. He took all the rules on wearing a leopard print, threw them out the window and then had a bevy of the hottest supermodels of the day, stomp them into oblivion in their 6 inch stilettos. Remarkably and perhaps not surprisingly, it still looks as fresh now as it did then. It's hard to argue genius. Versions of this piece were featured prominently both in the Alaia exhibit at the Groninger Museum and accompanying book 'Alaia- Azzedine Alaia in the 21st Century,'.

Here we have one of the most sought after pieces that Alaia ever produced - the stretch knit dress in his leopard print from that collection. Made of a stretch wool knit that has that iconic print worked directly into the knit. I love how the print uses different textures for each of the colors - in person this gives the print and almost 3D feel and subtly suggests the texture of "fur". It slips on the wear and instantly hugs your every curve. The contrast of being fully covered and yet having your every curve show is part and parcel his genius. This dress has never been altered and exceedingly hard to find. They were made in very limited quantities and the girls who do have them hoard them. Grab it while you can. Excellent, museum quality condition

Vogue said of this collection that year: "From the start, sexy knits were Azzedine Alaïa’s calling card. So it wasn’t a surprise to see them in his Fall 1991 collection, but the response to the show was nonetheless overwhelming, a feat all the more remarkable considering it was presented months after the season ended. (“When the collection is ready, it’s ready,” was Alaïa’s attitude.) What made the show so unforgettable was its appealing anthropomorphism—his butterfly- and leopard-print knits were not only transcendent, but transformative, adding a new and feral sense of “animal magnetism” to his body-con silhouettes."

Unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a vintage Alaia small, the fabric does have stretch

Sleeves: 23"
Dropped shoulders: 16"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 35.5" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2339

Reference Photos: "Alaia Throws A Curve" by Jean Baptiste Mondino Mode for Vogue US November 1991  /  Runway photo Alaia F/W 1991 from vogue.com  /  Image from the book 'Alaia- Azzedine Alaia in the 21st Century,' the accompanying exhibit book for the Alaia exhibit at the Groninger Museum.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.