MAISON ALAÏA: TIMELESS STYLE

Born in Tunisia to farming parents, Azzedine Alaïa was one of the greatest couturiers (he liked to be called that) of all time. His background in sculpture gave him a profound knowledge of the female form. His clothes were true works of art, tailor-made for his clients.

Photo Credits: Alaïa

The Editions F/W 2021-22 collection is the perfect combination of sculpture, elegance, and timeless femininity. The geometrically patterned knit evening dresses, structured shirts, perforated leather bodices, and leather shoes are the continuum of the fashion concept that has always distinguished the style of the Alaïa Maison, but with the touch of innovation and modernity of the new creative director Pieter Mulier.

Photo credits: Alaïa

The Editions is a collection that repurposes cult pieces directly from Maison's archives from 1981 to 2017. The pieces have been reproduced by the ateliers according to their original designs and reflect couturier Alaïa's vision, his sense of sensuality, and his impeccable technique.

Photo credits: Alaïa

Alaïa presented his first ready-to-wear collection in Paris in 1981.

In 1999 Carla Sozzani helped Alaïa to develop the Maison Alaïa, and in 2000 she signed an agreement with the Prada group to develop her fashion house.

Photo credits: Alaïa

Carla Sozzani, the "soeur italienne", as he called her, was his greatest muse and friend «It was 1979, I was working for Vogue. They told me about this extraordinary tailor who treated leather in a unique way, I did a special on him and flew to Paris».  

The initial idea of creating a selection of the couturier's most iconic garments came, a few years earlier, from his sister Carla Sozzani, at the time President of the Alaïa Foundation.

Photo credits: Fondation Maison Alaïa

Upon the death of the Tunisian couturier in 2017, Pieter Mulier, previously Raf Simons' right-hand man, was appointed as the new creative director. The Belgian designer perfectly embodied the vision of the fashion house's founder, characterized by ultra-feminine, yet plastic silhouettes, minimal and precious lines. His training as an architect influenced his creative vision, making him the perfect successor to Alaïa.

Photo credits: Alaïa