Two years ago, on November 18, 2017, famous designer Azzedine Alaia passed away. He began his professional career studying to be a sculptor. After graduating from the faculty, Azzedine became a sculptor, but only in fashion. It was here that his natural gift was revealed - to see and convey the beauty of a female figure. Azzedine Alaya designed dressesthat adorned women.

He regarded himself as a sculptor as a mediocre one, and he knew how to sew dresses for a long time and very well. Starting work in a local atelier and copying the outfits of famous fashion designers, he not only became famous as a master, but also studied French fashion.

After leaving his native Tunisia, Azzedine, on the recommendation, got a job in the famous House of Christian Dior, but here, after working for several days, he was fired. Then, at the Guy Laroche fashion house, he learned many of the secrets of haute couture, while helping Thierry Mugler. He also had to visit in the role of manager of a French marquise, until he was invited by the Countess Nicole de Blégier. Azzedin worked for her for almost five years, creating clothes for the Countess and her entourage. This helped him to easily find clients in the future.

Fashion house ALAIA

In the late 60s, he started his own business. One of the clients paved the way for him to secular Paris, where he met the great and famous. This is how Azzedine worked for almost 15 years. His modest atelier remained modest, he did not have his own store, he did not participate in shows, and in general, he did not care about fashion trends.

He didn't think about advertising either. Clients found it themselves. Close friend Thierry Mugler urged him to take up fashion as a business. Once in one of glossy magazines a photograph of the cloak and costume created by Azzedine Alaya appeared. This attracted the attention of the people of the fashion industry to him.

His first collection in 1980, leather and suede models that fit the body, short black dresses with many zippers, turned out to be very useful. In the 80s, the cult of the body reigned in the world - bodybuilding and aerobics. Azzedin liked to repeat then: "The basis of all fashion is the body." He wanted to become a sculptor, and this desire came true - he became a "fashion sculptor".



“Women are given a very short time to be proud of their bodies ...” - said Azzedin Alaya, and he was able to show all the dignity and perfection of the female figure. The first collection made him famous. A year later, the Azzedin Alaya brand appeared.

Since 1982 all of Europe and America learned about it, boutiques opened in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Beverly Hills, London, Geneva, Tokyo. In 1985, Azzedine received two Oscars for his models.

Celebrities began to dress at Azzedine Alaya: Grace Jones, Grace Coddington, Tina Turner, Louise de Vilmorin, Madame Mitterrand.



In 1985 Grace Jones wore a crimson Azzedine Alaya at the Oscars. This dress is now in the history of 20th century fashion. It immortalized the name of the creator, who invented for him a special fabric with lycra, and subsequently received the title "King of cling" - King of Allegiance.

In his models, Alaya began to use not only leather, but also stretch fabric, lycra, openwork fabrics reminiscent of tattoos, and latex. When sewing, he used seams of various configurations, for example, spiral seams, which visually change the figure - lengthen the legs, emphasize the waist.

He created the effect of a full body fit using draperies, special fabric, cuts of the desired shape and direction. His dresses became a second skin on the model girls. It was said about him that with Alaya's dress you put on the perfect figure.



In his work, he appreciated complete independence and wanted to do what he liked.The fashion industry at that time was gaining speed, collections changed season after season, and the designer had to manage to create more and more new models, and surprise those who sat in the front rows of the catwalk and obey the whims of a bored audience.

Azzedine did not want to obey any of the Syndicate rules. He did not make seasonal collections. "I show the collection the moment I consider it finished."



In the early 90s Azzedin suddenly disappears from the sight of his fans. He stopped taking part in shows, explaining that his atelier was busy with private orders. Among his clients are the great and famous: Uma Thurman, Stephanie Seymour, Madonna and many others.

After 10 years, he returned to the world of fashion. In June 2000, Azzedin Alaya presented a collection of clothes that instantly sold to boutiques around the world. He said that you have to be a tough nut to be able to exist as an independent designer, otherwise "you risk one day finding that everything, down to fabrics, is blocked by large companies."



When the controlling stake in the Azzedine Alayi Fashion House was sold, the contract left the designer with the right to creative independence. "If someone tells me how many things should be in the collection, I stop thinking, I am not even able to figure out how to hem the hem."

Azzedine Alaya loved his job, slept little and worked hard, and fame did not change him in the least. He always knew how to show off a female figure favorably. The beauty of a woman inspired him ...