Alaïa Women

Azzedine Alaïa is a legendary fashion designer known for his emblematic style, sculptural garments and celebrating women's femininity. Of French-Tunisian origin and born in 1939, he became interested in sculpture and joined the School of Fine Arts in Tunis. At the same time, fascinated by haute couture, he made his first models by reproducing Dior or Balmain dresses for his neighbors or women of Tunisian high society. At the end of the 1950s, the young prodigy flew to Paris and began his career at Christian Dior. A first experience that landed him a job as a tailor with Guy Laroche and Thierry Mugler. Azzedine Alaïa quickly built up a prestigious clientele that included the likes of Arletty, Marie-Hélène de Rothschild and Greta Garbo. His address book contributed to the popularity of his eponymous brand, launched in 1981 and introduced with the inauguration of his workshop on rue de Bellechasse in Paris. His sensual dresses, made of materials that felt like second skins and precise bias cuts, were all the rage and became the house's signature silhouette. Iconic supermodels of the time such as Naomi Campbell, Veronica Webb, Grace Jones, Farida Khelfa and Carla Bruni were more than thrilled to stride down the runway in his creations. A rising notoriety marked by winning the Oscar of "Best designer of the year" in 1985 and the Special Jury Prize of the French Federation of Couture. In the early 2000s, Alaïa worked for Prada for seven years before joining the Richemont group and then regained his independence to create haute couture collections. The success of the label is based on a meticulous know-how, a structural vision and an undeniable passion, all displayed in each of the pieces imagined by the master couturier. An aesthetic that naturally extends to the sunglasses line. Oversized frames, butterflies, studded or tinted lenses, will nicely complete the signature wardrobe.