The brand Alaïa

Famous for his skin-tight, feminine stretch dresses and with a reputation as the ‘last great couturier’, the fashion world had to say farewell to designer Azzedine Alaia in 2017. After 77 years, the success story of a man with a great legacy has come to an end. When young Azzedine worked for a tailor at the École des Beaux-Arts in Tunis during his studies, he soon began to learn the trade and became well-acquainted with the fashion industry. His experiences such as moving to Paris in 1957 and working as an assistant to Christian Dior shaped the young man for life. Soon after he opened his first studio in Rue de Bellechasse, followed by his first ready-to-wear collection in 1980 and the opening of the first boutiques in Beverly Hills and New York in 1988. After selling his brand to Prada in 2000, he bought it back again seven years later. Narrow waists, flared skirts and elaborate details such as embroideries and water jet cut elements still shape the current collection of the brand and turn every piece of clothing into the epitome of femininity.