By Linah Hashmi
His impeccable designs that flow flawlessly on a womans body and those shoes that are both seduction and sophistication have made Azzedine Alaia our designer of the month!
Alaia is a Tunisian-born couturier and shoe designer, particularly successful since the 1980s. His glamorous twin sister inspired his love for couture and he lied about his age to get himself into the local École des Beaux-Arts in Tunis and began studying sculpture where he gained valuable insights into the human form.
Having worked with the likes of Christian Dior as a tailleur, Guy Laroche for two seasons, then for Thierry Mugler, he opened his first atelier in his little rue de Bellechasse apartment in the late 1970s. It is in this tiny atelier that for almost 20 years he dressed privately the world’s jet set, from Marie-Hélène de Rothschild to Louise de Vilmorin (who would become a close friend) to Greta Garbo, who used to come incognito for her fittings.
He produced his first ready-to-wear collection in 1980 and moved to larger premises on rue du Parc-Royal in the Marais district. Alaïa was voted Best Designer of the Year and Best collection of the Year at the Oscars de la Mode by the French Ministry of Culture in 1984. Today he is known for his signature figure hugging dresses, that has made every woman die-hard fans of his styles. He is the master of female form!
Alaia is revered for his independence and passion for discreet luxury. For him, it is all about image. He remains the king.
These super sexy and sophisticated suede winged boots with leopard lining on the inside from his fall 2012 collection, are my pick of the month! Here is Kate Moss rocking them in a military jumpsuit, black velvet coat and croc-skin handbag! How would you pair these to-die-for Alaias?
