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Azzedine Alaia (Ignored fashion conventions): Background (Established a…
Azzedine Alaia (Ignored fashion conventions): Background
Childhood
Known as the "king of Cling"
Born in Tunisia - 7th July 1939
Had a close relationship with a lady in Tunis - Madame Pinot
Studied Sculpturing
enrolled his as the Art Institute Ecole des Baeux
Read Vogue as a young boy - cultivated his passion for fashion
Raised by grandparents
Born to a wheat farming family
Humble background
Has a Twin Sister
Also interested in fashion
Studied fashion
Twin sister helped his cultivate his skills as a dressmaker
Worked at Guy Laroche
worked there for 2 seasons
learnt the essentials for dress construction
Same time = met Simone Zehrfuss
Wife of an architect: Barnard Zehrfuss
introduced Alaia to Parisian society
The introduction = spark of his career
Gave him very influential clientele that commissioned his work
Career
Began as a part-time dressmaker
finished hems
Became an assistant dressmaker
Copied couture garments for wealthy Tunisian women
Copied garments from Parisian Couturiers- Eg: Dior, Balmain, Balenciaga
1957 = Moved to Paris
Worked as a Teilleur at Christian Dior
Teilleur = French Term = Tailor
Only lasted 5 days (Immigration papers were not in order)
Arabic appearance and Spanish lineage = hindered career in the beginning
Especially because Alaia came to Paris at the same time as the outbreak of the Algerian War
Met Contesse Nicole de Biegiers
Lived with her for 5 years
between 1960 and 1965
acted as a private dressmaker
Babysitter for her children
payment for lodging
Established a small salon
On the left of the river bank Seine River
Was there till 1984
Worked for Thierry Mugler at the same time
Launched Ateleir in the late 70's
1980 = first Alaia ready to wear collection
1982 = Bergdorf Goodman began stocking his collection
This = result of the B.G buyer saw someone wearing an Alaia garment
Buyer asked about the leather jacket
1988 = Boutique stores in - Beverly Hills and New York
2000's = resurgence of the brand
Partnered with the Prada group
designer maintained his independence
ignored pressure from investors
2007 = bought out prada group for ready to wear collection
Prada still controlled the footwear collections
Family
mid-90's = sister died
moved away from the spotlight
Agreement with Richamont
supported the expansion of the brand
specifically the fragrances
March 2013 = opened store - low key shopping district in Paris