azzedine alaia

Iconic Fall 1991 Museum Held Alaia Leopard Corset Top

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 what was the most photoed piece of the entire collection - the molded corset in leopard. There was literally too many photos of this piece to be able to fit all of them into the listings for this piece to accommodate our 12 photo restriction within each listing here on our website - a simple google will pull up dozens more. It is 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". Each vertical and curved band of the bandage like fabric is attached to the one beside it with a criss cross cording that once on allows for a peek of skin. Inside there is a full padded and molded underwire bra to give list and support. This is a once in a life time find and is one of the Holy Grail finds for the serious Alaia collector. 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 chunky zipper up the back and interior hooks on the inner attached bra. Tagged an XS but the fabric does have stretch. Note that the black skirt shown is for styling only and is not included.

Bust: 13.5-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 10-10.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 12.5-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 18" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# S687

Reference Photos: Runway photo from vogue.com  /  Naomi Campbell by Michael Roberts 1991 / 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.

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Please review all measurements carefully. More often than not, vintage garments do not fit any size category exactly. If in doubt, measure a garment of your own that fits and is a similar cut and compare it's measurements to the listed measurements below.