The anticipation and excitement buzzing from the queue that formed outside of an 1840’s brownstone in Gramercy Park could be felt blocks away.
The Life of Azzedine Alaia
May 01, 2012 11:58 AM
Azzedine Alaia was first introduced to fashion as a young boy when assisting the famous midwife Madame Pinot. With her help, Alaia enrolled at Ecole Des Beaux-Arts where he found his ultimate inspiration, the human form. In the late 1970s, after years of working with other famous designers of the time, such as Dior and Comtesse de Blegiers, Azzedine Alaia began the fashion house we know and love today. It all began when he opened a small Atelier in his tiny apartment in Paris. He kept his Atelier private and only designed for the famous women of the time. In the 1980s it was time for Alaia to introduce the world to his infamous designs. He caused quite a stir with his ready-to-wear collection by presenting skintight mini skirts and body con dresses, at a time when the fashion world was embracing power dressing and sharp shoulders. Alaia became a fashion mainstay in the world of luxury fashion, being voted best designer of the year and best collection of the year at the Oscars de la Mode in 1984. His career flourished even further when French Elle greatly supported him in their editorials. Fast-forward to 2000, Alaia partnered with Prada Group, to kick start his fashion rebirth. Through all of Azzedine’s success, he still remains private, and lets his remarkable designs do all the talking. Alaia is one designer that fully understands women’s body, constantly reinventing and always perfecting. Azzedine Alaia is a fashion genius.
WRITTEN BY: JACLYN GRAVER
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