This dress is from the early 1990s and I think it is from around 1992. His 1992 collections featured a ton of dresses with this same boy short finish inside. It is interesting to note that his dresses from this time period were as well known for their prices as they were for their extreme shortness. In a 1992 article in Elle Magazine they reported that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500' (just under $7,000 in modern dollars). This was in part due to the specialized fabrics that Alaia was developing. In the text found in that same 10 page spread, Azzedine is said to have been 'delighted 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 and I have both versions in the shop today. At first glance they look very similar. This version is the more couture of the two and the hem is finished with extensive hand beading and a real metallic thread. There are also hand placed mirrors worked into the hem. As a result this one is to more expensive but also the one that is more rare and harder to find. Less of these more elaborate versions would have been produced. 

The dress is made from one of Alaia's iconic black stretch knits. These were made to hug the body and define every curve while cleverly smoothing out everything underneath. The neckline is set wide across the front and it and scooped on a square off shape at the corners. It is cut low on the bust and it is finished with a touch of scalloping to the edge. This is a detail that he started to use around this time period and that you still see on the house's designs to this day. The way the knit has been made gives it a structure that is built right into it. Once on the body it shapes and molds the body underneath it while never feeling to constrictive. Alaia pieces are remarkably easy to move in and have more ease to them then some of the other 'bandage' dresses from other designers of this time period who were doing similar body conscious dresses. The sleeves and body of the dress are made from a more flat weave knit that is opaque. Under that the skirt starts low on the hip is cut to swing around you as you walk. It is very short and the knit has a more open weave to it that gives it a semi-transparent finish. The edge of the skirt is finished with an amazing combination of hand set glass beads and marquise shaped mirrors. The beads are done in little stacked horizontal rows on top of a raised vertical metal thread. Mirrors are set by hand in between the rows and and each mirror is held in place by metal thread using a North Indian technique called Abla or Shisha. This gives the skirt some weight and I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has once it is on. Under the skirt are attached and fitted knit boy shorts that snap into place. So when it is on you see through the skirt but are fully covered with the short shorts underneath. This is a very rare dress from one of the greatest designers of our time. It is entirely original. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. There is the slightest bit of sheen to the fabric near the seam under each arm. The mirrors show some patina which is a natural part of aging with this type of paste mirror. Tagged a small and the fabric has stretch so should fit a range of sizes. The measurements show the comfortable range laying flat. 

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 16-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 11-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length to inner boy short: 27-30" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts 
Length: 33" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-MED

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 from the early 1990s and I think it is from around 1992. His 1992 collections featured a ton of dresses with this same boy short finish inside. It is interesting to note that his dresses from this time period were as well known for their prices as they were for their extreme shortness.In a 1992 article in Elle Magazine they reported that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500' (just under $7,000 in modern dollars). This was in part due to the specialized fabrics that Alaia was developing. In the text found in that same 10 page spread, Azzedine is said to have been 'delighted 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 and I have both versions in the shop today. At first glance they look very similar. This version is the more subtle of the two and the hem is finished with a grey knit finish and series of diamond shapes that run all the way around. As a result this one is less expensive then the other one I have today but you get the same feel as the more intricate version just not with quite the same level of workmanship at the hem. 

The dress is made from one of Alaia's iconic black stretch knits. These were made to hug the body and define every curve whole cleverly smoothing out everything underneath. The neckline is set wide across the front and it and scooped on a square off shape at the corners. It is cut low on the bust and it is finished with a touch of scalloping to the edge. This is a detail that he started to use around this time period and that you still see on the house's designs to this day. The knit has structure built into it and once on the body, it helps to shape and mold the body underneath it while never feeling to constrictive. Alaia pieces are remarkably easy to move in and have more ease to them then some of the 'bandage' dresses from some of the other designers of this time period who were doing similar body conscious dresses. The sleeves and body of the dress are made from a more flat weave knit that is opaque. Under that the skirt starts low on the hip is cut to swing around you as you walk. It is very short and the knit has a more open weave to it that gives it a semi-transparent finish. The edge of the skirt is finished with vertical rows of a raised silver grey knit that has a boucle feel to it. Little marquis shapes are created by shaping the grey knit around the black base. The knit detailing there gives the skirt some weight and I love the fullness of the skirt and the movement it has once it is on. Under the skirt are attached and fitted knit boy shorts that snap into place. So when it is on you see through the skirt but are fully covered with the short shorts underneath. This is a very rare dress from one of the greatest designers of our time. It is entirely original. Excellent condition.

Unlined and closes at the back with a hidden set zipper. The inner boy shorts snap to close. Tagged a medium and the fabric has stretch so should fit a range of sizes. The measurements show the comfortable range laying flat. 

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 17-20" 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 to inner boy short: 30-32" from shoulder to inner snaps of shorts 
Length: 33" from shoulder to bottom hem of skirt

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-LRG

Item# DD2976

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

Surprisingly, this Azzedine Alaia dress is from one of his more recent collections despite its nod to some of his more classic work. He actually did a very similar dress to this in the 1990s with a slightly different woven pattern. It is made from ribbed and patterned knit in a stark white. This lies over a nude colored inner sheath so that it appears that you are wearing the knit over your bare skin. This inner lining is a stretch knit that hugs and molds to your body to help hold things in place and create a smooth line for the dress to fall over. As with all Azzedine Alaia pieces, this dress is cut to hug and highlight your every curve. The workmanship and the fabric is the best you can get and I love the saucy, flippy little skirt at the hem that finishes the dress with its feminine ruffle. A V neck at the front and no sleeves are the perfect balance to the long, supermodel length. This still has part of a Barney's tag attached and has never been worn. This is classic Alaia and a play on an earlier design he made famous in the nineties. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a nude lingerie weight jersey. It slips on to wear with no closures. Tagged a modern Alaia 38 but has lots of stretch so should accommodate a range of sizes.

Bust: will stretch to about 18" flat across from side seam to side seam comfortably
Waist: will stretch to about 15" flat across from side seam to side seam comfortably
Hips: will stretch to about 18" flat across from side seam to side seam comfortably
Length: approx 62" from neck to hem

Modern Sizing equivalent: XS-MED

Item# DD3423

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.