Documented Spring 1992 Azzedine Alaia Black Knit Mini Dress w Curving Halter Neckline

Azzedine Alaia pieces are always a delight to find. His knits were all self developed and are among the best out there. He started his career as a dressmakers assistant  and copied couture gown for wealthy Tunisian clients. In 1957 he moved to Paris and worked for Christian Dior for a grand total of five days. He then moved to Guy Laroche and quietly started to get private commissions on the side. By 1960 he was doing mainly private work and within a few years established a small salon on the Left Bank where he continued designing privately. He stayed at that salon until 1984. During this time period he also did private freelance work for other designers including Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler and even Yves Saint Laurent. It was not until 1981 that he launched his first official collection and by 1983 he had a boutique in Beverley Hills. The French Ministry of Culture honored him with the Designer of the Year award in 1985. In 1993 he decided that the established fashion show schedule was not for him and he eschewed producing a new collection every season. Instead he showed when his collections were ready and continued to do so until his death in 2017. 

This is one of two pieces I have from the Spring 1992 collection today. Both must have been had washed at some point as they each have a slight patina to the knit. They are otherwise in fabulous condition and at a great price.

The dresses from 1992 were as well known for their prices as they were for their tight body conscious fit. Elle reported that year that his collection was 'extraordinarily pricey with cardigans run around $1,400 and dresses between $2,500 and $3,500'. In a 10 page spread that season, Azzedine speaks of his 'delights in the space-age fabric he used for his Spring 1992 collection (he calls the NASA-developed material "Relax" for its purported ability to act as a screen against microwave emissions)'. The neckline treatment you see on this dress was used throughout the show on several of the dresses. The knit he used hugs and shapes the body because of the structure built into it. The upper edge of the neck is finished with his signature scalloped edging and this same finish is used at the hem. That edging extends out from the neckline and curves around the neck. At the back it scoops down in a curve. This little detail gives it a pretty and feminine touch. In between it hugs and follows your curves. It is sexy as hell. Great condition with a note below

Unlined and closes with a hidden set zipper up the back. Tagged a vintage Alaia XS. The fabric does has some stretch and the measurements below show the comfortable range laying flat. As mentioned the fabric does have a light bit of a slight faded patina and was probably washed by hand at some point in its history.

Bust: 11-16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 9-14" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 14-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 28" from top of neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XXS-SML

Item# DD4292

Reference Photos: (1-3) Spring 1992 Alaia Runway, Look 84. Model Yasmeen Ghauri.  /  (4) Spring 1992 Alaia photographed by Gilles Bensimon.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.