The twin of this jacket was Look 54 on the Fall 1989 runway and it was worn by none other then Beverly Peele. There is was styled with a crop pant, matching tights and gloves and a crisp white short underneath. Vogue's fashion journalist Laird Borrelli-Persson review offers an interesting glimpse of the early Alaia noting that 'Azzedine Alaïa was associated not only with a body-conscious look, but with a corner of Paris as well. The live/work space the designer built in the Marais, would become a welcoming mecca to models and clients, but it was unfinished when the designer presented his Fall 1989 show a month after the regular season ended. Alaïa famously presented on his own schedule, i.e. when he felt finished, and not according to a calendar date. According to The Los Angeles Times, the glass-roofed space was leaky, dampening the models as they paraded in a collection that underlined some of the tropes the designer had staked out as his own'.

Alaia's first ready to wear collection was in 1980 and just the year before he had opened his first boutiques in LA, NYC and Paris. That makes this a very early example of his work as he was just beginning the journey to branch outwards. The jacket is made from a rich velvet that is done in a deep deep blue. The choice of velvet gives the color extra depth and it also allows him to shape and sculpt it as he wished. The collar and front seams are finished with a wide, matte fabric in black for contrast. The collar is rounded and set so that it always sits slightly up and I love how the buttons glide through hidden set button holes set along the seam where the ribbon and velvet meet. On each hip is a pocket set with a button closure and they have a slight curving shape and are set to emphasize the hip. You can see the beginnings of that exaggerated hourglass silhouette that he would become known for in the shape of this piece. Beautifully tailored and perfect in every way. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a black silk satin and closes with the buttons down the front as seen. It appears to have never been worn, or worn very little and looks immaculate.

Sleeves: 23.5"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# S842

Reference photo: Fall 1989 Haute Ready-to-Wear Runway, Alaia, Look 54 on model Beverly Peele

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

The black version of this dress walked the runway for the Fall 2001 Couture show and I have had a black one in the shop but never the ivory until now. Versions of this piece have been a constant throughout Alaia's history and similar gowns featured prominently both in the Alaia exhibit at the Groninger Museum and accompanying book 'Alaia- Azzedine Alaia in the 21st Century,'.

This long and sexy silhouette is perhaps one of the most iconic of all the Alaia designs and most certainly one that is instantly recognizable as being his work. It is a look that feels as fresh to wear now as it did when it was created. The dress is made from his signature stretch viscose jersey. This fabric molds to the body once on and is cut to hug every curve through the bodice and the waist. Under that it flows out into a very long, full length skirt that is made of yards and yards of fabric. The contrast of being fully covered and yet having your every curve show is signature part of his genius in covering the female form. The bodice of the dress is cut into a slightly higher neck and back and has low dipping sides. Raised seam work highlight the curves of the dress around the body and also create and emphasize the bust and waist. More seams curve around the backside and hug the body. The color is a creamy ivory. This dress would also make for a wonderful wedding dress for someone looking for something not as traditional. Excellent condition with one very minor note below

Unlined and closes with a hidden set side zipper. There are also hook and eye hidden at the top of one shoulder. The gown is bias cut so does come up in length a touch once on. It is tagged a vintage Alaia size Small and Alaia does run small. The knit will stretch a bit and allow for a bit of range size-wise. I have given the range laying flat and stretching out to its comfortable max - you might be able to squeeze a touch more if needed. There is a teeny bit of a very faint mark near the base of the zipper but it is extremely minor. Please see the photo provided after the label shot

Bust: will stretch to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-13.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 14-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 67" from top of shoulder to front hem, 70" to back hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3145

Reference Photo: (1) F/W 2001 Alaia Haute Couture Collection, Look 18.  /  (2) Alaia in his Paris Atelier with his long-time muse Naomi Campbell.  /  (3) Book: Alaia, Azzedine Alaia in the 22st Century, BAI publishers, 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.

This dress is from the early 1990s and the 1992 collection featured a ton of dresses with this boy short interior finish under a series of minis. The dresses from this year were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'. Azzedine produced two versions of this dress for this collection. At first glance they look very similar. I have the other version in the shop as well at the moment. The other version has a silver grey colored thread that circles the hem. This version is its more couture counterpart, and uses a real metallic thread and hand spaced mirrors to finish the hem of the skirt. 

The dress is made from Alaia's iconic black stretch knit. The neckline is set wide and scooped and finished with the scalloped edging that he was using during this time period. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shape and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The upper portion of the dress, including the sleeves, are done in a solid, flat weave knit. The skirt is set low on the hip  and is semi-sheer with a grey knit finish for contrast. Onto this knit are hand set glass beads that run on little individual horizontal rows stacked up each vertical knit row. Little paste mirrors are set by hand in between each row. Each mirror is held in place by silver metal thread. I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has. Under the skirt is a boy short bodysuit that snaps into place to keep you from being scandalous and provide coverage. A rare and special dress from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. The fabric does have stretch. There is the slightest bit if shininess around the fabric and seam under each arm. Tagged a vintage Alaia Small.

Sleeves: 23"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16.5-18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 27.5" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts with some stretch available if needed, 31" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3001

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

This dress is early 1990s and the 1992 collection featured a ton of dresses with this boy short interior finish under a series of minis. The dresses from this year were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'.

The dress is made from that now iconic, black stretch knit. The neckline is set wide and scooped and finished with the scalloped edging that he was using during this time period. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shapes and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The upper portion of the dress, including the sleeves, are done in a solid, flat weave knit. The skirt is set low on the hip  and is semi-sheer with a grey knit finish for contrast. I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has. Under the skirt is a boy short bodysuit that snaps into place to keep you from being scandalous and provide coverage. A rare and special dress from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. The fabric does have stretch. Tagged a vintage Alaia Medium.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts with some stretch available if needed, 31.5" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2976

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon.

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

The dresses from 1992 were as well known for their prices as they were for their brevity. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'. Striped versions of the dress here were featured both in the Alaia exhibit at the Groninger Museum and accompanying book 'Alaia- Azzedine Alaia in the 21st Century,'.

The jet black knit that the dress is made out of hugs and shapes the body. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shapes and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The neckline sits low across the bust to suggests and give a nod to the cut of a Victorian corset. I love the off shoulder strap detailing that leaves the peak of the shoulder bare while a second strap curves around the top of the shoulder to meet the neckline. The upper edge of the neck is finished with his signature scalloped edging that he used during this time period. This little detail gives it a pretty and feminine touch. There is no defined waist  to the dress, it simply glides over the bust and down to hug the hips. It is utterly amazing and sexy as hell. Excellent condition

Unlined and closes with a hidden set zipper up the back. Tagged a vintage Alaia medium. The fabric does has some stretch

Bust: 15.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 33.5" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2336

Reference runway photo: fashionanthology.com

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

This more recent Azzedine Alaia knit dress is one of his classic silhouettes and will always be in style. The fabric combined with his signature pleats used to create the shape through the body and skirt are instantly recognizable as his work. The dress is made from his iconic, black stretch knits and this one has a slight ribbing texture running through it. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shape and mold the body underneath it while never seeming too tight from the outside. The dress has three distinct textures woven into the knit. The shoulders and upper bust are a solid, flat weave. Through the waist there are raised, vertical rows that act like a corset to shape the body. Those rows then expand, flare out and become perfectly spaced knife pleats that give the skirt fullness and movement. A stunning piece from one of the greats. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes with a hidden set back zipper. Tagged a modern Alaia 38. The fabric does have some stretch.

Sleeves: 21"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 15.5-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Length: 36" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD2817

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

Rachel Zoe wore a dress from this same collection when she debuted her windows for Tiffany. Her version had a full sleeve but this version is more of a cocktail dress with a simple sleeveless bandeau style bodice and a strap that wraps up and around the neck. I love the gathered design that is created by the bands that circle the dress from top to bottom. The ones around the bodice are the same fine knit fabric as the base and the ones that circle the skirt are made from his signature chenille. Inside, it has a built in inner bodice so there is no need for foundation garments. I love the deep burgundy color. Excellent condition.

Unlined through the body with a fully lined and finished inner corset at the bust area that is boned and has built in cups. This inner corset closes with its own separate zipper. The exterior dress closes with a side zipper that lies over the inner corset zipper. The very bottom hem feels slightly padded and each of the horizontal strip has an internal elastic built into it. The original retail on this dress was well over $5000. All the measurements have some stretch if needed except for the length and bust (unless you remove the corset).

Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner corset waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 24" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: approx15" from top of neck strap to waist
Skirt: 22" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD1900

Rachel Zoe pictured in an Azzedine Alaia dress for the unveiling of her Tiffany windows.

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

The twin of this dress was worn out by Iman to the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, November 29, 1990 with her husband David Bowie. It was also shot on Cindy Crawford for the cover off Elle france that’s year and was the closing look of the runway show. It is instantly recognizable as his work and an iconic piece of the brands history.

The dress is made of a black stretch lace that is layered over a deep nude stretch jersey that sculpts and shapes your form. The illusion is of course that you are not wearing anything underneath the lace and from a distance the dress can feel quite shocking. The lace knit that is used is very soft and the entire dress has a great amount of stretch. This is a size small in vintage Alaia and off the body it looks like a doll dress but will stretch to accommodate a real body. The stretch and cut are intentional and are made to hug and exaggerate your curves. The neckline is curved at the front and back and is accented by a wide black ribbed stretch fabric. This same ribbing anchors the hem and a far thinner band sits at each cuff.  There is no defined waist seam - it simply glides past the bust and down and around the hips. It is utterly amazing on and sexy as hell. Excellent condition

The body of the dress is lined with a dark bronze stretch jersey nylon. The sleeves are unlined. Slips over the head to wear. Tagged a vintage Alaia Small. The knit will stretch a bit and allow for a range of sizes - I have given the range from laying flat and stretching out to its comfortable max - you might be able to squeeze a touch more if needed

Sleeves: approx 23" approx.
Shoulders: no defined seam
Bust: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 10-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 13-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: approx 28-29" from neck to hem once on

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML (may fit a small med)

Item# DD2907

Reference Photos: (1-2) Iman and David Bowie at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, November 29, 1990.  /  (3) Cindy Crawford in Alaia, Elle France, 1990.  /  (4) Naomi Campbell, Alaia F/W 1990.  /  (5) Helena Christensen with Azzedine Alaia, Elle US, September 1990. / (6) Yasmeen Guauri for Alaia F/W 1990.

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