FASHION FRIDAY: AZZEDINE ALAÏA

AZZEDINE ALAÏA 

As one of my favorite film heroines said on the subject of Azzedine Alaïa,"It's like a totally important designer." , and I couldn't agree more!

ALAÏA AND GRACE JONES

After graduating from the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in France, the Tunisian-born Alaïa worked as a dressmaker's assistant, and then took his talents to the house of Dior. He followed up with a stint at Guy LaRoche, and then Thierry Mugler; in the 1970's he finally opened up his own atelier, where he catered to a private clientele, including the likes of Greta Garbo. 

VICTORIA BECKHAM

It wasn't until the 1980's he became a real force to be reckoned with in the fashion world, and where he got the moniker "King of Cling", in reference to his form-fitting garments. He was also voted Best Designer of the Year and Best collection of the Year at the Oscars de la Mode  and his clothes were used in editorials of fashion magazines such as French Elle and Depeche Mode. He also built  a celebrity clientele which has included Madonna, Grace Jones, Carine Roitfeld, Stephanie Seymour, Tina Turner, Brigitte Nielsen, Michelle Obama and Naomi Campbell, whom he is very close with and considers her to be like a daughter to him.

MICHELLE OBAMA

Besides the amazing look and quality of his clothes, one of things I love about Alaïa is, unlike many of his contemporaries, he's not interested in becoming a corporation or brand worried about  producing perfumes or IT [hand]bags every season; his focus has always been on being a designer who makes beautiful clothes.

NAOMI CAMPBELL

Though he has not been in the spotlight since the mid 90's, Alaïa's collections are still highly anticipated by fashion magazines, celebrities and fashionistas alike, such as yours truly.

CARINE ROITFELD W/ AN ALAÏA  BELT

-DIVA